THE LEÓNIDAS
The astronomers predict tonight for the greater fleeting star storm of last the 30 years
The meteorite rain will be contemplated mainly in its fullness in North America and in Asia and Australia
Efe | Madrid
Thousands of Leónidas will cross the terrestrial atmosphere tonight, in which it will be the greater meteorite rain of last the 30 years. Of 2,000 to 15,000 fleeting stars per hour they will hurry on the sky in a unique spectacle that will be only contemplated in its fullness in North America and mainly in Asia and Australia.
Europe will not be the best place to watch the luminous plans of meteorites (fleeting stars), because their two " tips " of greater activity agree with the diurnal schedule, in the Spanish case to 11,00 in the morning and 19,00 of afternoon (peninsular) of day 18.
In this occasion, a moon in phase of first quarter - therefore little shining and its putting near the one of the Sun will favor the observation.
The first " maximum tip " of predicted activity east year for the Leónidas, - that will not by day be seen in Spain be -, will reach 2,000 stars to the hour, whereas the second goes up to around the 15.000.
These maximums will not last beyond half an hour and still in the best visibility conditionses in general only usually they are seen from thousands 3.000.
The previous star more intense rain of the decade took place in 1999, with more than 3,500 meteorites to the hour, whereas in year 2000 the number reached the 500 per hour.
For his observation it is essential to choose the possible darkest place, - for it he is better to move away about to 150 kilometers of the great cities or other light sources -, and to locate themselves in a high site from where it is watched through smaller amount of atmosphere.
The Leónidas comes from the Temple-Tuttle comet, that completes its orbit every 33 years, and is in these dates when the Earth crosses the veil of matter left to back by its long tail, but sometimes it runs into with great nubarrones, producing true fleeting star storms.
This year, the inhabitants of China, Australia and the coast of the Pacific will be able to have gusts of wind of up to 15,000 meteors per hour, perhaps and those of the coast the west of North America and Hawaii appreciate gusts of wind in mayores amounts that the rest of the continent.
Leónidas because they seem to them to arise from the constellation of Leo and their fragments are very small, in its majority is called nonmayores that a rice grain.
IF THE SHOWER OCCURS YOU CAN TAKE IT TO THE BANK THAT GOD IS SENDING HIM OFF TO HELL WITH CELESTIAL FIRE WORKS.
that is all
I don't want to miss this event. Since we just went back on Standard time here in Washington State
What time will we see it here in the Pacific Northwest?
Are we still three hours behind EST? Will I see it peak at 1:00 a.m. PT?
I don't think so,Tim...
NASA - CLICK 7-8-9 FROM THE TOP!
ENJOY THE SHOW!
Scientists are predicting the most spectacular meteor shower in our lifetime will occur this weekend when the Leonid meteors appear over North America.
The meteors are streaks of light from the bits of debris, or meteoroids, from the Comet Tempel-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 33 years. The meteors arrive every year in mid-November as the Earth plows through what is usually a thin section of the comet's debris.
A few years during each orbit, the comet sweeps close to the sun, whose heat causes it to shed more debris. That produces a storm of meteors - or shooting stars. North America is a prime viewing spot this year.
The following is a Q&A about the celestial show.
Q: When will the meteor shower appear and what will it look like?
A: It is expected to peak during a half-hour shortly after 5 a.m. EST Sunday on the East Coast, 2 a.m. PST on the West Coast. Most of us know meteors as shooting stars, streaks of white light. The most optimistic prediction for North America is for 70 a minute, or 4,200 in an hour.
Q. Where should I go to watch them?
A. Head to a dark location far from city lights. The meteors will appear to radiate from east to west.
Q. Is it dangerous to watch them?
A. No, the biggest meteoroids are the size of rice grains and they burn up far from Earth.
Q. Will I need binoculars?
A. No, you can see them with the naked eye. But if the sky is cloudy, you probably won't see them.
Q. Will this be the biggest meteor shower in recent history?
A. No. In 1966, observers couldn't count the shooting stars fast enough. Estimates ranged as high as 150,000 per hour.
Q. How did the Leonids get their name?
A. They appear to radiate from the constellation Leo, the Lion.
Q. Do meteors have any scientific value?
A. Yes. Comets are hurtling balls of ice and debris from the birth of the solar system more than 4 billion years ago. Comet particles contain basic elements like iron, as well as carbon-based molecules.
``The chemical precursors to life - found in comet dust - may well have survived a plunge into early Earth's atmosphere,'' says NASA scientist Peter Jenniskens.
- On the Net: Meteor shower parties: http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/
We've got our lawn chairs ready, our nice,warm blankets, and our coffee pot will be all set and ready to go just as soon as we get up at 4:15 am!!
We live in southern IN, near Louisville - and so far the sky is fairly clear.
I'm NOT going to miss THIS one. I ALWAYS seem to miss all these spectacular sky events - northern lights, Haley's Comet, you name it, I've MISSED it! Well - not THIS time!!
I'll probably check back in here on FR after the show -unless I collapse back into bed. :)
ENJOY THE SHOW!
BTW, any astronomy buffs know the name of a pretty impressive comet that appeared sometime late 60s to early 70s? I was out ridin' with buddies one late night and spotted what looked like a dim orange smudge that stretched across a good part of the sky. Slammed on brakes and we all got out to look. First comet I ever remember seeing, and it looked huge. Since we had no idea to expect it, it both neat and unsettling (in a cool sort of way -- I realized what it was right off). Really pressed home the point to me that comets appear stationary and don't move like I always thought when I was a kid.