leonid meteor shower 2010

The annual Leonid meteor shower occurs again tonight, November 17th and through to the 18th. You'll be able to see a meteor streaking across the sky every few minutes as there will be 15 to 20 that will appear every hour. Discovery magazine says it's more like 20 to 30 an hour however.

The best time to observe should be after midnight, when the earth is facing the incoming bits of gravel. No telescope needed, just a space far away from light pollution where you have a wide view of the sky, and maybe a lawn chair to keep you from getting a crick in your neck. Unfortunately, the gibbous moon will be bright this year. If you're really intent on having the best view, stay up until the wee hours of the morning, when the moon sets and allows the sky to darken, around 5:15 am.

So stargazers and other fans of astronomy will be in for a rare treat with these spectacles tonight.

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