Posted on 11/12/2002 9:43:15 AM PST by blam
Spectacular meteorite storm set for next week
A spectacular display of shooting stars not likely to be repeated for 30 years takes place next week.
The Leonid meteors generate a shower of activity every November, but this year they are predicted to whip up a storm.
It will happen at around 4am on Tuesday November 19.
Sky-watchers may see several brilliant shooting stars every minute on a clear night, despite a nearly full moon.
The Leonids are not expected to return in such numbers until at least 2034.
On the other hand, meteors, like the weather, are notoriously unpredictable, and there is no absolute guarantee that the storm will occur.
A spokesman for the Society for Popular Astronomy, said: "If we do get a meteor storm, it should be worth setting the alarm for. But you will need to watch for some time to stand a good chance of seeing the meteors.
"If you just take a quick glance from the bedroom window you may not see anything. And there are no guarantees that the predictions will be correct."
The Leonids can be seen in any part of the sky. Among the best places to watch are the north-eastern to south-eastern skies around 3am to 5am, when the Moon is dipping lower in the west.
Anyone hoping to see the shooting stars should face away from the Moon, or hide it behind a roof top or wall. Street and house lights should be avoided too. In previous years, the peak of Leonid activity has been very sharp. Predictions show a rapid rise in activity after about 3am, with more than 150 meteors showing themselves every 15 minutes under ideal conditions.
Story filed: 17:38 Monday 11th November 2002
We were told something very similar last November. The show was great, but I didn't know we would get one this year also.
Will we get one next year, too?
Yes.
LOL .. Oh geez another one
Yes I remember staying up till 4AM in the morning .. running back and forth from outside to the computer and freezing my butt off
Then waking up the kids and having them look out my bedroom window cause of the cold ONLY to have them fall asleep and me end up sleeping on the couch that night
Hmmmm I think I'll pass this year .. LOL
I don't know much about astronomy, but here's a quote from the article:
"After 2002, however, there will be no more Leonid storms for a very long time. ... In 2098 the separation of the orbits shrinks to 0.0062 a.u. And in 2131, for the first time since 1633, the comet crosses our orbital plane slightly outside the Earth’s orbit at a distance of 0.0089 a.u. Not until one, or both, of these remote years can our great grandchildren expect to witness a storm of Leonid meteors."
Perhaps some Freepers who know more about this can elaborate.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.