Leonid Meteor Shower Tonight

Unfortunately, the expected peak will be most visible in Africa and Europe, with a chance that New England might also get a glimpse. The rest of the US will not get all that much excitement, the astronomers now are saying. Well, darn.

Where to see it

Those regions of the Earth that are in prime position to see another potential Leonid outburst are western Africa and western and central Europe where the constellation Leo will ride high in the southeast sky as the peak of the shower arrives.  Morning twilight will begin shortly thereafter. 

In North America, for the Maritime Provinces of Canada, New England, eastern New York and Bermuda, the Sickle of Leo (from where the Leonids appear to emanate) will be above the east-northeast horizon just as the shower is due to reach its peak.  But because Leo will be at a much lower altitude compared to Europe, meteor rates correspondingly may be much lower as well.  However, this very special circumstance could lead to the appearance of a few long-trailed Earth-grazing meteors, due to meteoroids that skim along a path nearly parallel to Earth's surface.  Seeing even just one of these meteors tracing a long, majestic path across the sky could make a chilly night under the stars worthwhile.

Unfortunately, for the central and western United States and Canada, the Leonid outburst will likely have passed before Leo rises; at best, nothing more than the usual 10 or so Leonids per hour will likely be seen.

Keep in mind that for New England and U.S. East Coast, the peak is due locally on the previous calendar day, Saturday, Nov. 18, at 11:45 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (For the Canadian Maritimes and Bermuda, the corresponding time is 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, the 19th.  For Newfoundland it is also on the 19th, but at 1:15 a.m.).

Oh, well. If you live in New England, you have a chance at a nice show. The rest of us have to hope for a earth grazer to make it a good evening! (If you have ever seen one, you know how neat those are).