Leonids Meteor Shower

Posted in Geekery on the 15 Nov 2009, by Adam

Hi, I can count to 31 on one hand… can you? For those who said yes, congrats, for those who said no, try harder.

Well thats almost enough for introductions except to say I am Adam, you know the guy whose torso is seen in the back of many of Kim‘s foodie photos, patiently waiting to have his breakfast/dinner/tea . Your usual and delightful Hiphop writer is pretty busy, it being the run up to Christmas etc etc. So I thought I’d write something for you folks to read, so let me introduce this article…

The Leonid Meteor Shower

When I write this it is the 14/11/2009 (or if you happen to be in the US its 11/14/2009, WTF?) and on the 16th and 17th there will be the annual Leonids meteor shower… The “seeds” of this yearly event were laid down over 500 years ago by the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle in 1466 (cheers NASA) and due to the various geometries involved, *Deep Breath* the non-circular orbit of the Earth around the Sun, the non-circular and inclined orbit of the comet around the Sun AND the fact that the Sun is moving around the centre of mass of the entire Solar system *Breathe again*, we’ll be passing through the stream once more.

Thanks Jodrell Bank/Jodcast

As the meteoroids (sand and pebble size bits of dust) which form the debris for Temple-Tuttle’s stream whip into the atmosphere the streak of light they leave is the meteor. Depending on where the Earth passes into the stream the number of meteors varies and this year, again according to NASA we’re in for a good show, something on the order of 500 meteors an hour.

What can you do to see this stuff?

Pretty much just go outside when its dark on the 16th or 17th at look toward Leo. It’ll be low to the horizon in the North East around 21:50 (GMT) and rise there after. I mention 21.50 because that’s meant to be the peak of the shower. Leo will continue to rise after this. Make sure you are in a fairly dark region so your eyes are more sensitive.
To figure out where you should be looking I highly recommend downloading Stellarium (its free) and check out the monthly nights sky, so you can see what else you are looking at.

Of course it could be cloudy which would scupper everything.

So thats my 2 pennies worth, I’m hoping Kim will let me do an astro post per month so if you like please comment “NERD” in the comment section!

12 Responses to Leonids Meteor Shower

Posted by Judestar on 16 Nov 2009 at 8:50 pm

NERD!

Posted by kim on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:15 am

NERD!

Posted by Jen on 17 Nov 2009 at 11:12 am

NERD

(Adam are you happy now?!)

Posted by Sam on 17 Nov 2009 at 11:24 am

NERD!

Posted by Baddy Schpollo on 17 Nov 2009 at 11:46 am

NERDLINGER! noogie/swhirly/trap in locker/wedgie and other such unpleasantries nerds are inclined to suffer. also what is for Meteor Tea? meatballs?

Posted by Stuart on 17 Nov 2009 at 12:47 pm

NERD!

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Posted by Chris on 17 Nov 2009 at 4:49 pm

NERD!!!

Posted by Adam on 17 Nov 2009 at 6:07 pm

NERD! Thanks everyone! I’ve been told to draft next months Astro article… Hope you all get to see some meteors tonight!

Posted by Dave on 17 Nov 2009 at 6:57 pm

FLAPS!

Posted by Alex on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:05 pm

NERD!

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