Leonid Meteor Shower - 11/18/2010

[PPI Brian]

If you're up late or early, which ever the case may be, don't miss this opportunity to check out the annual Leonid Meteor shower. Astronomers are predicting a peak of 20 meteors per hour at the peak. Best time to catch the show is between 2:30 am and 5:30 am 11/18/2010.

Best way to view a meteor shower is to lay on your back, so you don't get a crick in your neck. Get out the chaise lounge, bundle up and plan on spending at least an hour staring up into the night sky. Even if the shower turns out to be a dud, you will be amazed by the beauty of the autumn constellations.

If you have a good pair of binoculars, try looking for comet P103/Hartley 2 while your eyes are adjusting to the night. The comet is below the belt stars of Orion, in the constellation Monoceros between Canis Major and Canis Minor. If you're not familiar with these constellations, check out the links below:

http://media.skyandtelescope.com/documents/Hartley2-Nov11-Dec31.pdf

http://www.astronomy.com/en/sitecore/content/Home/News-Observing/News/2010/09/Get%20ready%20for%20a%20naked-eye%20comet.aspx

http://www.nightskyhunter.com/Comets%20Visible%20Tonight!.html


The National Weather Service predicts clear skies all night long.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2010/11/check-out-the-leonid-meteor-shower-tonight/1