2007 Leonid meteor peak Saturday, November 17
A pair of Leonids streak past Orion in the night sky. Credit: Kris Asla
See a larger version of this image.
Friday, November 16, 2007
According to predictions, the famous Leonid meteor shower will peak this weekend.
The best viewing is predicted to be during the wee hours before dawn on Sunday, when you might see as many as 10 to 15 meteors per hour. But meteor showers are notorious for defying predictions, so don’t discount Saturday and Monday mornings. And don’t be too surprised if the Leonids surpass or fall shy of the predictions.
Even though the first quarter moon will light the evening sky, moonlight shouldn’t bother this year’s Leonid meteor display. As a general rule, the fast-flying Leonid meteors don’t pick up steam until after midnight, and by then the moon will have set. Frequently, the greatest numbers of meteors in any annual shower rain down shortly before dawn.
The Leonid meteors are named for the constellation Leo the Lion. If you trace the paths of these meteors backward, they appear to radiate from Leo. But you don’t have to know Leo to enjoy the Leonids. It’s like in a baseball game when fly balls go every which way through the air, but all come from the vicinity of home plate.
In the case of the Leonids, these meteors streak outward to all parts of the sky from Leo the Lion’s golden mane. And remember, after midnight, you’ll see more.
So, that’s this weekend – the Leonid meteor shower.
Leonid meteors seen in the early part of the night commonly exhibit more elongated paths than those seen later at night. These early-night Leonids are called “earthgrazers.” As Leo climbs higher in the sky after midnight, more meteors fall but their paths become foreshortened.
Comet Tempel-Tuttle, parent of the Leonid meteor shower
Photo of the constellation Leo the Lion
Leo the Lion in history and myth
The 2007 Observer’s Handbook predicts the Leonid meteor shower will peak on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 4 a.m. Universal Time. This is 11 o’clock Saturday night for the East Coast of the US. IF this forecast holds true, the East Coast should be in a favorable position for watching earthgrazing meteors late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
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did Asian people can observe this meteor shower?
i come from Malaysia.
thank.
Yes, mhhoe, Asian people are in a good position to watch the Leonid meteors. In fact, all the northern hemisphere and a good deal of the southern hemisphere can watch this shower. The important thing is to find a dark location away from intrusive outdoor lighting, and to give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adapt to the dark. Astronomers are predicting a peak of about 10 meteors per hour for this year’s Leonid shower.
The upcoming Geminid meteors around December 13 are expected to be much more prolific, perhaps raining down 50 meteors per hour. Yes, you can see the Geminids from Asia, too!
Translating from the 4am UT prediction, I calculated that the peak in Washington will be 8pm Saturday. Can you give me some tips to see this shower? Should I drive north? Thanks!
Hey, i live in Canada, Missisauga Ontario and i was wonderin if that is a good place to observe meteor showers. Is Hamilton, Ontario a bettr place to observe them than Mississauga? And finally,would observing from mayb farm areas be good? THANKS :)
Jen and Taha,
Anyplace in Washington or Ontario should be fine for watching the Leonid meteor shower, as long as you have an open view of the sky and can find a dark site away from pesky artificial lights.
Yes, Jen, you correctly converted the predicted time of the Leonid peak to your time zone. But there are two things to keep in mind. First, this forecast is only an educated guess, not a sure thing – like the predicted times for sunrises/sunsets/eclipses. Even if this prediction holds true, the constellation Leo (the radiant point of the Leonid shower) won’t begin to rise over your eastern horizon till about 10 to 11 p.m. your time.
As a general rule, the higher Leo climbs into your sky, the more meteors you’ll see. The hours between midnight and dawn are usually the most favorable.
This shower is not expected to be nearly as prolific as the upcoming Geminid shower in December. But you never know for certain how many meteors you’ll see in any particular shower unless you look!
Good luck!
Bruce
I live in Los Angeles. Which one would be a better place for observation- Beach or Mountain?
Thanks!
Mimi
how i want to calculate my peak in Malaysia?
thank.
Mimi,
The more open and darker the sky, the better.
mhhoe,
If the peak comes as expected, it will happen during the daylight hours (about noon) on Sunday, November 11 in your part of the world. This page tells you how to convert Universal Time to your time zone.
Personally, I think too much attention can be given to the peak time of a meteor shower. You’re most likely to see the greatest number of Leonid meteors between midnight and dawn on Sunday, Nov. 18. But since meteor showers are notorious for defying hard-and-fast predictions, don’t discount the after midnight hours on Saturday and Monday.
Best of luck!
Bruce
I think that this meteor shower will be the best one ever from the picture i saw…....this meteor shower will cause an effect in your life….If you listen to the news and the radio you will listen on the time to see the meteor shower.
Katelyn,
The last thing I want to do is to dash your enthusiasm for the Leonid meteor shower. However, astronomers are expecting a peak of perhaps 10 meteors per hour. Unless we’re in for a surprise, this year’s Leonids aren’t likely to produce one of the best showers ever. But the modest meteor display should be worth watching!
Clear Skies!
Bruce
Hi, i am from Ontario, Ottawa, i am wandering what is the time to see the Geminids and when is the peak hours??
Jeng,
The best night for watching the Geminid meteor shower will probably be on Dec. 13-14. Unlike other meteor showers, the Geminids start to streak the sky by mid evening, but are still better after midnight. For a sneak peek of the upcoming Geminid show, click here.
this is the best birthday present i get every year!!!!!
My nine year old son and I are going to the University of Virginia McCormick observatory tonight for public viewing night. Do you think we might see meteors?
I have a question i live in indiana and I was wondering if I would be able to see this meteor shower. And if it is possible, i was wondering when is the best time to go on Saturday and Sunday
im frm philippines…meteor showers r cool! i witnessed those scene alot of times here..:D
Wow, it has been almost 10 years since I last see the Leonid meteor shower. I remembered the first time I saw it was back in 1997 or 1998. That night I was at the beach with a group of friends and I saw about 13 meteors for the whole night.
It has been rather cloudy in Singapore these days. I do hope the sky will clear up a little over this weekend so we can all catch it.
Read the Malay Mail(saturday 17 Nov ) of the leonid showers for Malaysian stargazer
Hey, I am from Nebraska. I am very VERY interested in seeing the meteor shower, I’m just not really sure how the whole thing works. I know it said above that the date of this is pretty unpredictable, but what about the time? Will I only see them during a few hours of the night? And if so, does anyone know the best time for me to be outside? (I’m Central Standard Time here)
Thanks :)
Hi! i was wondering if anyone can help me out…i live in the GTA of Toronto Ontario and wondering when the peak times/what time I should go and see the leonid meteor shower? this is my first meteor shower…but i was wondering if i should i spend my night for the leonid, or just wait for my first experience to be in December for the Geminid? Hopefully u can help me, thanks!
To All,
I live in Michigan where the skies are cloudy 200+ days (and nights) of the year!) I am ecstatic when I get to see the moon let alone a meteor shower.
I got the sky-watching bug from my mother who had an undying wish to see a UFO. She never did, but sitting out under the stars (urban skies were much darker 40 years ago) with her left a special appreciation for star gazing that I still hold dear to this day.
Good hunting to you!
-M
To everyone,
The best time to watch the Leonid shower is probably after midnight and before dawn on Sunday, November 18. To optimize your viewing pleasure, be sure to find an open view and a dark sky. This year’s Leonid display is expected to be modest, peaking at perhaps 10 meteors per hour. If you wish to watch a more prolific shower, the usually reliable December Geminids will probably rain down 50 or so meteors per hour.
If you’re out watching meteors tonight, check out Comet Holmes. In a dark sky, the comet is still visible to the unaided eye, and is presently right next to Perseus’ brightest star, Mirfak. Comet Holmes looks like a big fuzzball through binoculars!
Good luck!
Bruce
the meteor shower on noveber 17,19 starts at 12 midnight through 3 A.M please dont forgit this is the best message that actualy tells you some info
so if you know the people that wrote the ones up there dont read it when you have some real info down her well i gots to go my baby girl is caling me so gotta go
I live in NJ somerset county US, would I be able to see the meteor shower? if I can what time?
is the metor shower supposed to be on saturday novemer 17 at midnight or around then or did it already happen ?? and if im in aquidneck island can i still see it ??
i live in florida, and i was wondering if and when i would be able to see the shower? also is there a specific direction to be looking? Thank-You
can alabamians see it
also if you live in alabama is 12:oo a.m be a good time 2 see it
I will never forget November 18,2002. My mother had just passed away at 6am and there was huge meteor shower right over her house. It was if she was flying to her destination. I can’t wait to see it tonight, it will be very emotional for me but I hope I will be able to see a good one. It will be nice to feel she is close after a rough 5 years.
so is the meteor shower 2night?? sat. nov. 17th?? and what time for central time in the u.s.?
I live in rural Ontario (no light pollution in this area) – very clear night tonight – we just went outside and looked for 10 or 15 minutes – cant see anything of the meteors yet!!! Lots of lovely stars though!! Moon is quite bright but low in the west – dark to the east, north & south – will try again in an hour or so!
will i be able to see the leonids in cali?
Is there a possiblity we can see the Leonids shower tonite still? What are the chances? Thank you very much we just found this site and love it!!
Crystal Wood
I saw two meteors at 12 a.m on Saturday(Nov.17) within the timespan of 10 minutes!! Or maybe my eyes were fooling me.
I went out at 4 am to see them at their peak, and didn’t see anything-does anyone know why? I saw them a few years ago- it was really awesome and I have been looking forward to it for a few months now. My location is Pensacola, FL.
I was up about 4:30 a.m. or so on Sunday morning (Nov. 18) at my home in upstate NY, and saw a handful of very fast though fairly faint meteors. It was a superbly beautiful sky, as clear as it could be, but the Leonid shower was at best a modest affair. Unlike the August Perseids and the December Geminids, the Leonid shower doesn’t offer a reliably prolific display year after year. Exceptional outpourings of Leonid meteors tend to happen in cycles of roughly 33 years. The last good show took place in the early 2000’s, so the Leonids are likely to remain a low-key event for many years to come!
I enjoyed it all anyway, having many star clusters, the Comet Holmes, and the planets Mars, Saturn, Venus & Mercury for good company!
Bruce
I’ve been observing the Leonids from Oklahoma for the past several mornings beginning Nov 18. On the 18th I spotted 10 meteors in 75 minutes of viewing,3 of which were very nice with long trains left visible for several seconds. On the 19th I saw 3 just before dawn in a time span of 15 minutes. I’m heading outside again this morning because I’ve all ready seen 3 in a matter of 20 minutes this morning, but I expect more will be seen beginning about 0530 local time. Yes, the Leonids of 2002 were the best I’ve ever seen in my 51 years of sky watching with rates of 600 meteors per hour. It’s tough to top that one!
I just spent the last hour watching again. I only spotted two in that time. However, the second one was the best I’ve seen all year! This thing was unusually slow for a Leonid meteor and was visible for apx. 4 seconds with an orange tint to it. It started around Mars and headed east from there. Absolutely beautiful!! Tomorrow morning might be worth checking as well if viewing conditions are good in your area.
hi, i was wondering if i could see the meteor showers in singapore?
Yes, Lemel, you can see the Geminid meteor shower – if you find a dark, open sky away from pesky artificial lights. I’m sending you Earth & Sky’s radio show on the Geminids. Sky & Telescope magazine is forecasting Dec. 14-15 to be the peak night in Asia. As for me, I do my viewing when it’s clear, because meteor showers are notorious for defying hard-and-fast predictions.
Bruce