Meteor storm puts on star-studded show (Leonids tonight and tomorrow morning)

USA Today ^ | 11/18/02 | Dan Vergano

[hc87]

Wishing on a star? You're in luck. Monday night's Leonid meteor storm will offer one of nature's best light shows this century.

The annual shower of shooting stars arrives with a first storm peaking around 11 p.m ET, viewable in and around New England, and a second peak coming six-and-a-half hours later, visible nationwide. Barring clouds and a bright full moon, which could wash out some of the more faint meteors, observers may see thousands of shooting stars during the storm.

[hc87]

Set your alarm clocks and look to the eastern horizon.

[ruoflaw]

Thanks for the reminder. We have had overcast skies for the last three nights...maybe it will be clear tonight. I will tell my hubby so he can look on his way to work at 5am

[Cicero]

It looks as if it will be overcast here in Vermont for both shows. :-(

[My2Cents]

The peak of the storm for US observers is 5:32 a.m. EST, 2:32 a.m. PST (that's tomorrow morning, folks -- early Nov. 19th).

[Prodigal Son]

Or 11PM- tonight. Apparantly there will be two peaks according to the article.

[My2Cents]

Good point. I was thinking of the second wave, which will be prime for the West Coast (the first wave is about 8:00 PST, and our location out here will be on the trailing edge of earth's plunge through the comet trail, hence, hardly noticeable.

[Prodigal Son]

I'm just hoping the clouds clear off here in Scotland. It's been clear the past couple nights and we've had frost. Hopefully the sky will open up one more time. I missed the big show last yr- hope to see it this time.

[My2Cents]

Same here in "sunny" California. We had our first really thick fog of the season (it usually gets quite foggy in November). It was foggy outside of town as I headed for work this morning. Now it's gorgeous blue sky, but no guarantees what it will be like in 12 hours. I live in the Sacramento Valley. If there's fog, it's possible to head up into the mountains (about a 90 minute drive) to get above it. I may even do that if the fog starts to come in by 10:00 tonight.

[Prodigal Son]

Fog. Ahhh man. I just looked out the window (it's almost 10pm) and there's a fog rolling in. :-( Maybe it'll freeze off in the next 6 hours or so.

[steveo]

Be sure to go outside on the 21st and look for the shooting stars. You may only look at the shooting stars if you have paid up all back rent and have no
outstanding warrants against you.

[CobaltBlue]

Thick clouds. Dang.

This just isn't a good time of year for meteors -- rainy, warm enough for the sky to be full of moisture.

Last year was a treat, but there was a drought.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

Again? Wow, that was fast. Supposedly supposed to be great last year, but it was only okay. I have a great southern view though.

[Nateman]

Was pretty good last year. Is this going to be better?

[Andy from Beaverton]

Can someone explain to me why a meteorite would be traveling in a ninety degree angle to all of the rest?