PDF Doc with mathematical Information
Best simple explaination of Leonids I could find:
Quote:
The Leonids are famous for the large meteor displays which occur in the years around the perihelion passage of the parent comet, 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. The particle density of the Leonids is highly variable along the comet's orbit as the meteoroids do not move in the same orbit as their parent comet. The reason is their (small) escape velocity from the comet. Nevertheless, this small deviation causes the meteoroids to move along different orbits in some kind of dust trails. The comet's orbit as well as thsoe of the dust trails are affected by graviational disturbances mainly of Jupiter. Such disturbances alter the orbits and may disrupt them. Recent numerical modelling of the stream has explained major portions of the stream's structure. One feature is that the Earth may cross individual trails even years after the comet's perihelion passage (Feb. 1998). Hence the rates vary considerably from year to year near the comet's perihelion passages.
So....
Leonids come from the comit orbit, which leaves dust trail. Earths orbit passes through that orbit therefore we see a meteor shower.
Isn't this the comet that those crazy guys from San Diego thought they were going to "catch" a ride on? The crazy guys who were all dressed the same in black clothes and had a certain amount of money, I forget, $25 or something, and then all commited suicide? Remember them???
Gosh, I dont remember them...I dont know if Id want to either...sounds a bit off
Catch a comet? Whackos
That was the Heaven's Gate group and they were gonna get a ride on Hale Bopp, I believe. Didn't they all wear Nike's, too?
Werent they the ones who all committed suicide...was that to catch the comet? I thought that was to reach some ultimate higher goal/power before Y2K or some such nonsence.
What do I know? humph
silly just silly I tell ya
You're right -- but they were going to ride the comet to the higher whatever.
Yep, you got it. Temple-Tuttle, Hale-Bopp... who's to know?
Bandylu - Did they wear Nikes? Hah!
Well, yes, WE all knew/know they were silly. They thought they were amazingly smart.
Do you remember that they all had the same amount of money in their pockets? Now I guess we know that greenbacks don't work beyond the Van Allen belt.
Yes, I remember them - out in California. Found them all dead, laid out all perfect like in their dormitory beds. The mind is an amazing thing.....just amazing.
Well, the skies miraculously cleared, I dont know however if Im gonna make it, very long day. humph. Shouldda taken a nap dangit. Gonna try though!
quinn -- which direction should we be looking (Heard they're gonna start soon with best viewing about 5:30 a.m. here on Long Island).
Leonid itself comes from Leo, so if you know where Leo is...thats good!!
Heres the info for you in simplist terms:
Leonid Viewing Info
and if you click on the image there it will show you a basic map
http://www.astronomy.com/photogallery/gallery_large.asp?idObjectLibraryGUID={3E4B6746-424F-48A0-AA17-4A486B632D52
Must go venture at least out back, dont think Im gonna make it out to someplace really good...fading fast but, I tried!!!
Hey, its definately started..and it must be fabulous where theres less light..Im right in a city and its incredible!
Hope you all at least get to get a peak!!!!!
Gonna go enjoy
I can't wait! Here in the SE the best time is to be around 5:30 a.m. and I'm way out in the country with no lights, except for the full moon, but that should be on the other side in the west by this morning. I'll be up. Not supposed to be this spectacular again until 2099 and I'll be good and dead by then.
Hope you all can see the show!
Sigh... we've got clouds Boss, we've got clouds.
We didn't have clouds, but I didn't see any at all. Got up at 5, went outside and waited and waited, thinking that perhaps my eyes hadn't readjusted to the dark - and nothing. Now I will need a nap today, which I can't easily do.
<sigh>
I was out there this morning at 4:30,..saw quite a bit,..but would have been better if I lived somewhere a bit more remote!!
It was worth getting up for though!!
Well, I'm glad somebody saw it. Made me wish I were in Tucson! I'll try again tonight/ tomorrow morning.
It was certainly much worth the time I lost with sleep, sorry for the clouds and lack of for those who didnt see.
Glad Jerry got to see all early this am!
We were up at 4 AM or so - I saw a half a dozen, hubby saw half of that but he saw one which left a light-blue trail.
Yeah, a nap sounds good.
