The annual Leonid meteor shower will be very visible this year, since it coincides with the dark Moon. And anytime from dark to dawn is a good time to watch. Much of Asia will get the most shooting stars per hour, but North America should also get a spectacular show. Check NASA's handy Leonid Fluxtimator to figure when it peaks in your location.
The Leonid shower appears to come out of a radiant point in the constellation Leo, and thus the name. Mars is in Leo now, and so, writes Bill Cooke of NASA, "A remarkable feature of this year's shower is that Leonids will appear to be shooting almost directly out of the planet Mars."
Some Tips for Watching the Show:
- Get away from street and house lights for better viewing.
- Watch in a reclined position (to avoid neck strain), or laying on a blanket on the ground.
- Relax your eyes and keep a loose gaze on the entire sky.
- Enjoy some warm beverages and be sure to bundle up.
Getty Images
Comments
No comments yet. Leave a Comment