nov 17 meteor shower
Circle Nov. 17 on your calendar, for early that morning a moderate to possibly very strong showing of annual Leonid meteor shower is likely. [1]
Such meteor storms have actually occurred with the annual Leonid meteor shower of November, such as in 1833 and 1966, when meteor rates of literally tens of thousands per hour were observed. [2]
If the Earth passes through one of these clumps on Nov. 17, viewers could see hundreds of meteors per hour. [3]
Norwegian astrophotographer Arne Danielsen captured this spectacular Leonid fireball on Nov. 18, 1999. [...] The Leonid meteors are thought to be the dusty legacy of Comet Tempel-Tuttle because the dust is moving around the sun in virtually the same orbit as the comet. [4]
The Leonid meteors are debris shed into space by Comet Tempel-Tuttle, which swings through the inner solar system at intervals of 33.25 years, looping around the sun then heading back into the outskirts of the solar system. [2]
Viewers will definitely see a dozen or more meteors per hour. [3]
Tempel-Tuttle last passed near the sun and Earth more than a decade ago (in 1998) and for several years thereafter the Leonids put on some spectacular displays, producing many hundreds – even thousands of meteors per hour. [4]
The Leonids are known to be made up of cosmic litter from a small ‘ 2.2 mile ‘ dusty comet discovered by two astronomers in the late 19th century and christened Tempel-Tuttle. [1]
For although Comet Tempel-Tuttle is now far removed from the inner solar system, independent studies by several noted meteor scientists suggest that the Earth will pass through several notable trails of meteor activity in 2009. [2]
A meteor shower’s radiant is the perspective point from which all the meteors would appear to originate if their paths were traced backward far enough. [5]
Some astronomers predict, however, that the rate could be greater than 100. [3]
Published bi-monthly by The University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory, StarDate magazine provides readers with skywatching tips, skymaps, beautiful astronomical photos, astronomy news and features, and a 32-page Sky Almanac each January. [6]
The higher the radiant is, the more meteors flash into view all over the sky (though meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, so focusing on the radiant is not necessary). [4]
As the comet orbits the Sun, it leaves a trail of debris. [3]
Sources:
[1] Strong Leonid meteor showers expected Nov. 17 - LiveScience …
[2] How to Watch This Week’s Leonid Meteor Shower - Space | NASA …
[3] Leonid meteor shower peaks Tuesday, Nov. 17 (w/ Video)
[4] SPACE.com — Strong Leonid Meteor Shower Expected Nov. 17
[5] Strong Leonid Meteor Shower Expected Nov. 17 - Yahoo! News
[6] Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks Tuesday, Nov. 17 | The University …