Under a dark autumn sky, debris melted off a comet will enter Earth's atmosphere at approximately 160,000 mph, and create a lovely Meteor Shower. Partly-melting Comet Tempel-Tuttle, the debris contributor, last passed Earth in 1998, and this year we are due to plow through an especially thick portion of debris. It consists of various streams of chunky ice and dust and metal particles, in a layer which the Earth will pass through from about November 10 to 23rd. We should cross the thickest part of the debris trail between approximately 10:00 p.m., Nov. 16, to 5:00 p.m., Nov. 17th. Four independent theoreticians have predicted a rate from 40 to less than 150 meteors per hour.
Leo the Lion, from whose 'Head' the meteors seem to start, is the second-largest constellation. It will be just rising at 10:00 p.m., and the shower will continue past sunrise. Leonids approach the Earth almost straight-on, so they are extremely swift, often bright, and 50 to 70% leave 'persistent trains'; 'smoke trails'.
A Comet Shower Star Party will be held Monday night, Nov. 16th, at the terminus of Chesebro Canyon Road 2.4 miles north of the Ventura Freeway Chesebro Canyon off ramp, from 10:00 to 11:00 pm. A large telescope will be on hand, to look at some other magnificent autumn sky objects, while we are waiting to see Leonids. Everyone is welcome!
P.S. Stay in harmony with The Sky Spirits, to diminish the chances of fog or other types of clouds which would prevent the Comet Party from occurring!
