Throughout the year there are many meteor showers, some with a very low hourly rate of meteors and others with considerable higher figures. The Leonids is one of the better showers, as its hourly rate of visible meteors is in the region of 40.
The Leonids are named from the constellation, from which they appear to radiate from namely Leo, the Lion. The source of the meteors comes from a reoccurring comet by the name of Temple-Tuttle. Each year the Earth passes through the debris the comet has left behind. This year’s peak is on the 17th of November; however the nearly full moon will hamper the viewing rates.
In the UK the peak will be around 21:40 and this will also go for most of Eurpoe.
For North America, Canada and the US East Coast the best time to view the shower will be between the hour of 0 3:30 and 05:30 on the night/morning of the 17/18.
For the best viewing results get away from artificial lights and try to keep the moon out of your line of sight or behind you if at all possible. The less light you are subject to the better the shower will be. Although the shower can been easily seen with the naked eye it is always a good idea to carry a pair of binoculars with you, this can increase the rate of meteors you see and enhance your overall viewing pleasure.
The below is for 2011 meteor showers and other points of interest:
Jan 3/4 – Quadrantids Meteor Shower: One of the better showers with up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. The shower starts around the 1st of January through to the 5th with its maximum being seen on the nights of the 3rd & 4th. As with any meteor show the further you are away from artificial lighting the better, the shower with radiate from the constellation of Bootes and the moon will not cause an hindrance on viewing.
January 4th – Partial Solar Eclipse: This will be visible from North Africa, Asia and Europe.
April 13th – Saturn will be in prime position for viewing/photography as it is in its closest approach to Earth at this time.
21/22 April Lyrids Meteor Shower: This shower produces somewhere in the region of 20 meteors per hour, and in some cases very bright dust trails that can last for several seconds. This shower begins around the 16th and continues right through to the 25th, however its maximum can be seen on the nights of the 21st and 22nd. This shower radiates from the constellation of Lyra and the best viewing time is after midnight from a dark location. NOTE – There is a full moon on the 18th of April which will reduce the amount of meteors being seen at this time.
May 5/6 – Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower: This is a low rate shower with figures only reaching 10 per hour at its maximum. The shower begins on the 4th and continues through to the 7th with its peak on the nights of the 5th & 6th. The shower radiates from the constellation of Aquarius and the best viewing is to the east after midnight.
June 1st – Partial Solar Eclipse – This will be visible from Asia, Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland.
June 15th – Total Lunar Eclipse – This will be visible from South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.
July 1st – Partial Solar Eclipse – This will be visible from the coast of Antarctica.
July 28/29 – Southern Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower: This shower typically produces around 20 per hour at its maximum. The shower begins on the 18th and continues through to the 18th of August with its peak on the nights of the 28th and 29th of July. The shower radiates from the constellation of Aquarius and is best seen after midnight.
August 12/13 – Perseids Meteor Shower: This is one of the best showers with rates per hour in the 50-60’s region. The shower begins on the 23rd July and continues through to the 22nd August, with its maximum on the nights of the 12th and 13th of August. It radiates from the constellation of Perseus and is best seen after midnight. NOTE – There is a full moon on the 13th of August which will affect the visible rate of meteors.
August 22nd – Neptune is at its best point for viewing, however it will only appear as a small blue dot unless you have a very large and powerful telescope.
September 25th – Uranus is at its best point of viewing, again like Neptune it will only appear as a small blue/green dot unless you have access to a very powerful telescope.
October 21/22 – Orionids Meteor Shower: This shower has an average rate of 20, but because it radiates from such a large and easily recognisable constellation it may well be a good starting point for new astronomers. The shower starts around the 17th and continues through to the 25th with its peak on the 21st or 22nd, although this can be subject to some movement. The best viewing for this shower is after midnight to the east.
October 29th – Jupiter is at its closest approach to Earth and offers a spectacular sight for viewing and photographing it and its many moons.
November 17/18 – Leonids Meteor Shower: This shower has a good hourly rate of 40, and has a cycle that it goes through every 33 years or so where hundreds can be seen per hour, however the last mass peak was in 2001.The shower begins around the 13th and continues through to the 20th, with its maximum on the nights of the 17th and 18th of November. The shower radiates from the constellation of Leo and is best seen after midnight. NOTE – There is a full moon on the 10th of November which may reduce viewing rates.
November 25th – Partial Solar Eclipse – This can be seen from Antarctica, some parts of South Africa and Tasmanian.
December 10th – Total Lunar Eclipse – This can be seen from most of Europe, eastern Africa, Asia and North America.
December 13/14 – Geminids Meteor Shower: This is by far the best shower of the year; it has rates of up to 60 per hour and can create some spectacular sights with its multicoloured meteors. The shower begins around the 6th of December and continue through to the 19th, with its maximum being seen on the nights of the 13thy and 14th. The shower radiates from the constellation of Gemini and it best viewed after midnight. NOTE – There was a full moon on the 10th which may hamper viewing rates.
