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Credit: Juan Carlos Casado
Explanation:
Last year, the 1999 Leonids Meteor Shower came to a tremendous crescendo.
Observers in Europe
observed a
sharp peak
in the number of
meteors visible
around 0210
UTC during the early
morning hours of November 18.
Meteor counts then exceeded
1000 per hour -
the minimum needed to define a true
meteor storm.
At other times and from other locations around the world,
observers typically reported
respectable rates
of between 30 and 100 meteors per hour.
This year, the
2000 Leonids were somewhat
less impressive,
although many astronomers hold much
hope for the
Leonids
in 2001 and 2002.
The
above photograph
is a 20-minute exposure ending just before the main
Leonids
peak of 1999 began.
Visible are at least five
Leonids
meteors
streaking high above the
Torre de la Guaita, an observation tower used during the
12th century in Gorina,
Spain.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Leonids - Earth - Fire - meteor
Publications with words: Leonids - Earth - Fire - meteor
See also: