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ORIONIDS
This Sky map shows roughly where you'll see the Orionid meteor shower.
The Orionid meteor shower gets its name because the meteors seem to come from the constellation of Orion. The meteors are formed from the remnants of Halley's Comet. This is a comet that has tradtionally been seen as a portent of calamity and disaster. It is even shown in the Bayeux Tapestry, as being a harbinger of the Norman Invasion of England in 1066, and was seen at the time of the Great Fire of London.
On this section of the Bayeux Tapestry, look to the right above King Harold and you'll see Halley's Comet overhead.
PERSEIDS
Image courtesy of NASA
In high summer, some time between July and August, comes the Perseid meteor shower. Often peaking in the second week of August but varying slightly every year, the Perseids get their name from the constellation of Perseus. These meteors are the left-over debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle, which leaves a bit of its wake behind in the form of cosmic dust particles of different sizes. This is the birth of the spectacular display of shooting stars that light up as they fall through Earth's atmosphere. Whether you study them through a telescope or "wish upon a star", it's a display not to be missed.
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WHEN AND WHERE TO SEE THEM
This year, in 2006, they'll be more difficult to see than usual as the main shower comes so very close after the Full Moon, but keep a sharp look-out, maybe before the Moon rises, and you could be lucky. The display is best seen in northern latitudes some distance from the Equator. Next year, they should be much easier to see.
LEONIDS
The Leonid meteor
shower can often be something spectacular!
Called the Leonids because
they appear to emanate from the constallation of Leo, the
Leonid meteors are the debris from the comet Tempel-Tuttle,
bits of dust, rock and ice that peeled off from the parent
comet in 1699, 1766, 1799 and 1866.
WHEN AND WHERE TO SEE THEM
Start looking for them from
November 13th onwards this year, 2003. it seems that the will
come in two bursts, the first beginning on the 13th and 14th,
and the second in 4 or 5 days time after that. From 13th onwards,
look upwards. Amateur astronomers in Alaska, Hawaii and
along the Pacific rim of Asia are likely to be the most
favoured. They could see anywhere from a few to 40 meteors
per hour! Hope for clear skies!
An even more spectacular display
is expected on November 19th, when very good displays indeed
are likely anywhere in the Americas, and also, though
to a lesser extent, in Europe including Britain.
Find the constellation Leo,
and look just before its "sickle", or backwards
question mark. The Lenods seem to radiate from there, and
this point is known as the "radiant". It's in the
western portion of the constellation. The shower will seem
to come from there. Camp out with plenty of hot drinks, find
a comfortable spot, and enjoy the show!
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