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To: Augustus Gloop who wrote (2950)	11/18/2002 6:11:04 PM
From: Augustus Gloop	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 3287

Leonid Meteor Shower Set For Tomorrow Astronomers Predict Stunning Display For Residents Of North America POSTED: 9:48 a.m. EST November 15, 2002 UPDATED: 4:31 p.m. EST November 18, 2002 This year's Leonid meteor shower is expected to be the last great storm of shooting stars for at least three decades. Astronomers predict a stunning display for residents of North America and Europe early tomorrow morning. LEONID METEOR SHOWER INTERACTIVE: Guide To Meteor Showers Local Weather Forecast Viewing Tips ONLINE RESOURCES NASA.com Coverage Space.com Coverage While a nearly full moon will outshine fainter meteors, viewers under dark skies away from city lights could see six to 10 meteors per minute during sharp pre-dawn outbursts, experts predict. "Despite the moon, the display should be remarkable," said Robert Roy Britt, senior science writer at SPACE.com, a Web site devoted to space and astronomy news and information. "For many people, this will be the last chance in their lifetimes to see the Leonids at storm level." A meteor storm is defined as an hourly rate of 1,000 meteors or more during at least a 15-minute period. In 2001, the Leonids produced a celebrated storm, part of a series that date back to 1999. James Lattis, director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Space Place, said the display will be spectacular. "We're really looking for a meteor storm rather than a shower," Lattis said. Forecasters do not expect the Leonids to storm again until at least 2033. "This comet orbits the sun approximately every 33 years," said Lattis, who is hosting a meteor-watching party at Wingra Park in Madison during peak viewing times. "Every time it passes through the inner part of the solar system, it leaves a trail of debris. But the comet doesn't retrace its path exactly, so what you have is a braided tangle of filaments from many passes of the comet." "The year 2099 will be the next time the Earth will pass through this thick part of the swarm of comet trails," he said. "This is a rare opportunity." The first outburst is expected over Europe around 0400 Universal Time (UT). The second peak should occur over North America at about 5:30 a.m. EST, or 2:30 a.m. Pacific Time. Eastern residents will have the preferred view, though all of North America stands to see a strong display. Why Do We See Shooting Stars or Meteors? The explanation of meteor showers can be compared to the common experience of a bug hitting a car windshield and making a splatter: Earth's atmosphere is the windshield, and the bugs are dust clouds produced by comets. When the two collide, you get a shower of meteors, also known as shooting stars. SURVEY Do you plan to look for shooting stars during the Leonid meteor showers? Yes No Results \| Disclaimer The annual Leonid meteor showers are produced when the Earth's atmoshphere collides with dust from the comet Tempel-Tuttle. This year, Earth will be plowing into comet clouds that are relatively new -- dust shed in 1699, 1766 and 1866 -- and which are richer in small meteoroids. No special equipment is needed to view the meteor showers. In fact, the shooting stars are moving so fast that they typically cannot be viewed in telescopes or binoculars. Tips For Viewing Leonid Showers Experts recommend the following: Find a viewing location free of light pollution. Observe the sky from a reclining-type chair so that you can easily keep your gaze in the darkest portions of the sky. Look at about a 50-degree or more angle above the horizon. Look up. The direction is not that critical because the meteors will be scattered throughout the sky. Don't be too surprised if the show is a dud. For any given broad area of the Earth, there is a small chance of a spectacular meteor storm to occur for a brief time. For a larger portion of the planet, there is a good chance of a pretty ho-hum, minor shower. Copyright 2002 by Channel3000.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed