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Comets circle the sun, usually in elliptical orbits, and sometimes come close enough to the Earth to leave debris in Earth's orbit.
A stellar show could be on display this week as the Leonid meteor shower lights the sky.
The mid-November meteor shower, which owes its name to its origin in the constellation Leo, could be visible from now until Monday, according to Wayne Watson, astronomer for the Imaginarium in Nevada City. The night show should peak Friday, as long as cloudy weather doesn't obscure the sights, he said.
"A Leonid meteor shower happens every year around Nov. 17, when Earth passes close to the orbit of comet Tempel-Tuttle," according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Web site.
The mid-November meteor shower, which owes its name to its origin in the constellation Leo, could be visible from now until Monday, according to Wayne Watson, astronomer for the Imaginarium in Nevada City. The night show should peak Friday, as long as cloudy weather doesn't obscure the sights, he said.
"A Leonid meteor shower happens every year around Nov. 17, when Earth passes close to the orbit of comet Tempel-Tuttle," according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Web site.
Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through the trail of debris left by comets - clumps of ice and stony
particles that become visible when they get near the sun. While Leonid is one of the more famous meteor showers and can be spectacular, its radiance depends on the year.
"In 1833, the Leonid meteor storm was so intense that some people were actually awakened by the sky full of 'falling stars,'" according to NASA. The meteor shower is generally brightest once every 33 years.
The Leonids may not be highly visible this year, according to local amateur astronomer Alan Stahler.
particles that become visible when they get near the sun. While Leonid is one of the more famous meteor showers and can be spectacular, its radiance depends on the year.
"In 1833, the Leonid meteor storm was so intense that some people were actually awakened by the sky full of 'falling stars,'" according to NASA. The meteor shower is generally brightest once every 33 years.
The Leonids may not be highly visible this year, according to local amateur astronomer Alan Stahler.
About three years ago, Stahler said, "It was excellent. A lot of us stayed up all night and watched it."
A group of local residents, including Watson, plans to watch the meteor shower from Tobiassen Park near the Eric Rood Administrative Center in Nevada City. Parking is available at the Madelyn Helling Library at 980 Helling Way off Maidu Avenue.
One of the goals of the meteor watch and similar programs is to boost interest in science, Imaginarium Director Judy Nielsen said.
If Friday's weather is clear, Watson will be at Tobiassen Park between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. The meteor shower should be visible to the naked eye.
A group of local residents, including Watson, plans to watch the meteor shower from Tobiassen Park near the Eric Rood Administrative Center in Nevada City. Parking is available at the Madelyn Helling Library at 980 Helling Way off Maidu Avenue.
One of the goals of the meteor watch and similar programs is to boost interest in science, Imaginarium Director Judy Nielsen said.
If Friday's weather is clear, Watson will be at Tobiassen Park between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. The meteor shower should be visible to the naked eye.
In addition to the Leonid, the planet Neptune could also be visible Friday. Telescopes will be available to see it, Watson said.
Little moonlight makes this a prime time for star-gazing. The Leonid meteor showers should be most visible between 12 a.m. and 3 a.m., Watson said.
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To reach Staff Writer Josh Singer, e-mail joshs@theunion.com or call 477-4234.
Little moonlight makes this a prime time for star-gazing. The Leonid meteor showers should be most visible between 12 a.m. and 3 a.m., Watson said.
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To reach Staff Writer Josh Singer, e-mail joshs@theunion.com or call 477-4234.
