Leonids, Joshua Tree National Park, California
Photo - Wally Pacholka & Tony Hallas / NASA
Leonid Meteor Display – November 16/17th, 2009 -
In 2009, the Leonid meteor showers will occur on November 16th and 17th. A spectacular display is expected because the Earth will cross the 1466 and 1533 dust trails of Comet 55P/Temple-Tuttle. There will be a narrow one-hour peak on November 17th at 21:43UT -1:43AM – (1466 dust trail) and 21:50UT – 1:50AM – (1533 dust trail), or alternatively perhaps 0.5 to 1.0 hour later (based on mismatch with 2008 data). It is also not clear if the 1466 and 1533 trails will arrive together in November 2009, or will be separated by one hour or more. Peak meteorite density is predicted to be 115 -190/hr (scaled to 2008 data), or 150 – 300/hr when activity from both dust trails is combined. There also might be a slight enhancement from the 1567 trail. Highest meteorite rates occur when the Earth passes through the thickest parts of the comet’s dust trails.
via ammph
