Will there be a major-league meteor shower in 1999?

The Leonid Meteor Shower ( constellation Leo ) occurs around November 17th each year, however the activity level of this shower seems to follow a roughly 33 year pattern. There have been some spectacular showers in the years 1799, 1833, 1866 and 1966 with in some instances 10,000 meteors seen each hour! The year 1999 will be another 33-year anniversary, and may be one of these spectacular years. The above picture by by Juraj Toth of Modra Observatory can be found at the American Meteor Society meteor showers page.

Here is a list of preditions for the upcoming Leonid Showers


year     date        UT          rate        location
2000, November 18, 3:44     100-5000?    Europe, Africa

2000, November 18, 7:51      100-5000      E. U.S.A., E. Canada, Atlantic

2001, November 18, 10:01     2500?       Americas
          
2001, November 18, 18:19     10000-35000    E. Asia, W. Pacific, Australia
          
2002, November 19, 10:36      25000       Americas


Copyright 1997 Dr. Sten Odenwald

Return to Ask the Astronomer.