Meteor Shower Tonight Could Be Best In History

NASA ^ | 11-17-01 | Robert Naeye

[Colorado Doug]

In the wee morning hours of Sunday, November 18, the Leonid meteor shower might intensify into a dazzling meteor storm, with "shooting stars" continuously blazing trails across the night sky.

Viewers across the United States are perfectly positioned to take advantage of the storm, which could be among the most spectacular sky events of the 21st century according to the latest scientific predictions. more...

[Colorado Doug]

Just a reminder for those of you who are interested. I will add a link later (if I can find it again) and if there is any interest. That will help you to find the best time to view in your area. Looks like 3:00 AM for Colorado with over 3000 per hour, if viewed from a good location.

[tank_sherman]

For 2 straight weeks, the skies over SW Pennsylvania have been amazingly clear -- until tonight. Overcast and heavy fog. I'm so disappointed. Enjoy the show for me!

[MasonGal]

As I mentioned on another thread - we'll be getting up at about 4:15 am (about 5 hours from now) - we've got our lawn chairs, our nice, warm blankets, and our coffee pot ready and all set to go.

We live in southern IN -near Louisville, KY - skies are fairly clear for now.

I'm NOT going to miss this event this time!!

I ALWAYS seem to miss these spectacular sky events - such as the Northern Lights display a couple of weeks ago, Haley's Comet, etc., etc. - it never fails. Well - THIS time - I'm not going to miss it.

ENJOY the SHOW!!

[anniegetyourgun]

For once, we actually have a clear night in the Pacific N/W. (It's a miracle to have such a condition 10 months out of the year!) We'll be heading out at 2 am!

[Howlin]

Hey, I was just going to start this one! Way cool.......people can report in!

As the guy said on our channel tonight, "It's now or never; we won't have a show like this until 2099!"

[prisoner6]

Yuppers. Actully we still have clear skies, it's just that we're fogged in.

BTW have you or any of the other SW PA FReepers heard a report about the AMTRACK station in Pittsburgh being closed because a man inside reportedly has a bomb?

I just found out but haven't been able to confirm.

prisoner6

[vmatt]

We live in southern IN -near Louisville, KY - skies are fairly clear for now.

Hey Gal, I'm in Sheperdsville and I guess you heard about all the smoke out here from fires. Wonder if thats going to badly affect the viewing out here? Anyone?

[Colorado Doug]

Bummer! It's very clear here. I will make a wish for you. Hmmmm, I wonder what I could charge for such a service? It would certainly be a service more proactive than Madam Cleo!

[John Jamieson]

Omar Ladin, Inc has announced the bombing of the US with leonids will begin this weekend. They expect total distruction within 3 days.

[MasonGal]

Hey there - Shepherdsville - I sure hope you are able to view the show.

I just had WHAS TV news on - and on the weather report - Chris Phillips mentioned that fog would be rolling in - but hopefully, after daybreak.

[Colorado Doug]

I am trying to fing a link that I lost that will tell you just how many you should see per hour in your area.

[Dakotabound]

I thought the peak was supposed to be early Monday morning, not Sunday. Have they changed it?

[John H K]

Headline is a bit misleading...not a single scientific meteor forecaster thinks tonight will even approach the best Meteor showers in history (40 meteors per second in 1966, similar rates but with huge numbers of fireballs, too, in 1833).

It may be one of the best astronomical events of the 21st century because Jupiter will perturb the Leonid orbit and completely ruin them in 2033 and 2066.

[oldvike]

I've got my thermal underwear on and am ready for the big show!!!!!! Bring on the light show!!!

[tank_sherman]

Yikes! No, I hadn't heard about the Amtrak thing. Was too busy wallowing in self-pity for being socked in. Now local news says 22-year old Middle Eastern man has been apprehended in station who claims to have bomb in his luggage. Geez! What do we get through here - 2 trains a day? Hardly a hub. Station has been evacuated.

[Howlin]

SPECIAL REPORT: 2001 Leonid Meteor Shower

Leonid Meteor Storm! When, Where and How to Watch

Want To See Meteor Showers? Set Your Alarm Some North American Sky Gazers Could See As Many As 4,000 Shooting Stars Per Hour

Look Up! Leonid meteor shower may be spectacular

[Republic]

ME TOO! 4:15 A.M.-OUCH! It has been incredibly foggy here since last night-the week prior has provided some the clearest, most beautiful star gazing ever! Wouldn't ya just know it! Lucky you-your south of me, and it sounds as if your skies are a go! But I'm gonna take a peek anyway, just to see if things have cleared up....right now, it's perfect 'jack the ripper' or a street scene from an English 'vampire' movie weather. Not pea soup-but close! Bummer.

[John H K]

The peak has always been Sunday morning. There's another peak over Asia that occurs during daylight Sunday that you can't see from the Continental US. You may have had an incompetent local TV weatherman or local newspaper article give you bad info.

You're likely to see absolutely nothing on Monday morning.

[MasonGal]

Good Night, everyone. I'm going to go to bed, now - I'm getting up in less than 5 hours to see the sky show.

[tank_sherman]

If you're granting wishes, I have a few others that are higher priority than clear skies tonight!