Neil D Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 SPACE.com – Tue Oct 20, 12:30 pm ET The Orionid meteor shower is expected to put on a good show tonight into the predawn hours Wednesday, weather permitting. This annual meteor shower is created when Earth passes through trails of comet debris left in space long ago by Halley's Comet. The "shooting stars" develop when bits typically no larger than a pea , and mostly sand-grain-sized, vaporize in Earth's upper atmosphere. "Flakes of comet dust hitting the atmosphere should give us dozens of meteors per hour," said Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office. People in cities and suburbs will see far fewer meteors, because all but the brightest of them will be overpowered by light pollution. The best view will be from rural areas (the moon will not be a factor, so dark skies will make for ideal viewing). When and how to watch The best time to watch will be between 1 a.m. and dawn local time Wednesday morning, regardless of your location. That's when the patch of Earth you are standing on is barreling headlong into space on Earth's orbital track, and meteors get scooped up like bugs on a windshield. Peak activity, when Earth wades into the densest part of the debris, is expected around 6 a.m. ET (3 a.m. PT). Some meteors could show up late tonight, too. Late-night viewing typically offers fewer meteors, however, because your patch of Earth is positioned akin to the back window of the speeding car. The Orionids have been strong in recent years. "Since 2006, the Orionids have been one of the best showers of the year, with counts of 60 or more meteors per hour," Cooke said. Some of those counts come in flurries, so skywatchers should find a comfortable spot with as wide a view of the sky as possible. Lie back and allow 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, then give the show at least a half hour to play out through spurts and lulls. Meteors could appear anywhere in the sky, though traced back they will appear to emanate from the constellation Orion. Telescopes and binoculars are of no use, because meteors move too quickly. Extra warm clothing is a must, and a blanket and pillow or lounge chair allows comfortable positioning so you can look up for long stretches. Reliable event Predicting meteor showers is tricky because the debris comes from multiple streams. Each time comet Halley passes around the sun on its elongated orbit – every 76 years – it lays down a fresh track of debris for Earth to plow through in subsequent years. Those tracks spread out and mingle over time, and we pass the tracks each October during our 365-day, nearly circular trek around the sun. Japanese researchers Mikiya Sato and Jun-ichi Watanabe say activity in recent years is related to debris put in place from 1266 BC to 911 BC, and this could be another good year, according to NASA. Even if that prediction does not hold, the Orionids will almost surely put on a decent show. Prior to 2006 and going back many years, the Orionids have produced a reliable 15 to 20 meteors per hour at the peak, for skywatchers with dark skies. As a bonus, this time of year you can expect an additional five to 10 sporadic meteors per hour – those not related to the shower. Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
SivartM Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 AAAAH now I have to get up early and watch it! Quote "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde�Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." - Jesus
Administrators Gail Posted October 20, 2009 Administrators Posted October 20, 2009 But... I have to get up to go to work tomorrow! Can't they wait until the weekend? Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
SivartM Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 But... I have to get up to go to work tomorrow! Can't they wait until the weekend? You could try calling NASA and asking them. Quote "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde�Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." - Jesus
Members phkrause Posted October 20, 2009 Members Posted October 20, 2009 Setup your video camera Gail. pk Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted October 20, 2009 Members Posted October 20, 2009 pk Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Guest Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 I guess I could take Mr. Murphy for a walk, at about 1:00 or 2:00. Quote
Administrators Gail Posted October 20, 2009 Administrators Posted October 20, 2009 He could protect you from the bogey man when you are out in the dark. Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Administrators Gail Posted October 20, 2009 Administrators Posted October 20, 2009 HEY GAIL OH COME ON NOW GET REAL every one know the bogey man(person) is only in your closet or under you bed Oh, yes- the Bogey PERSON. Could be from either gender now? I wouldn't want to leave anyone out! Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
SivartM Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Yay! I'm going to get up at 5 in the morning to watch! \:D/ Quote "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde�Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." - Jesus
Neil D Posted October 21, 2009 Author Posted October 21, 2009 But... I have to get up to go to work tomorrow! Can't they wait until the weekend? Oooh, now Gail....Just TIVO it..... Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
SivartM Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 I saw about 20 meteors! Quote "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde�Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." - Jesus
Neil D Posted October 21, 2009 Author Posted October 21, 2009 You saw about 20 more than I did....It rained last night...and there was lighting and thunder....twas cool... Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
BobRyan Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 I saw about 8 starting at around 5:30 EST - and most of them were not originating "from orion" but they did pass somewhere near it from other directions so I have to assume they were not even Orionid. Quote John 8:32 - The Truth will make you free“The righteousness of Christ will not cover one cherished sin." COL 316.
SivartM Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 That's too bad. Most of the ones I saw were near Ursa Major. Weird. :\ My mom came out after I had seen about 7, and she looked for about half an hour before seeing any (two larger flashes at the same time!). Quote "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde�Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." - Jesus
SivartM Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 If you missed them this morning, there'll still be a show tomorrow morning, although not as big. Too bad it's going to be cloudy here. :( Quote "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde�Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." - Jesus
Members phkrause Posted October 22, 2009 Members Posted October 22, 2009 Sorry but I didn't see any either, actually saw the back side of my eye lids. :) pk Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
SivartM Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Sorry but I didn't see any either, actually saw the back side of my eye lids. :) pk Really? What were they doing in the sky? Quote "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde�Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." - Jesus
Members phkrause Posted October 22, 2009 Members Posted October 22, 2009 Very funny Sivart! hahahahaha hehehehehe hohohohoho pk Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
SivartM Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 That's what everyone always says when I ask a serious question! Not really. Quote "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde�Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." - Jesus
Neil D Posted October 22, 2009 Author Posted October 22, 2009 My question to PK is "Did you see stars?" Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
Members phkrause Posted October 22, 2009 Members Posted October 22, 2009 No Neil, I saw sheep. hahahahaha pk Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
SivartM Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 It was cloudy this morning. BUT During the second half of the year there are far more meteors than the first half, and this time of year we're supposed to have about 10 per hour even after the Orionids! Then there's the Geminids in December... Quote "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde�Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." - Jesus
Planey Posted October 26, 2009 Posted October 26, 2009 'Sfunny how a bunch of space debris and rubbish can be so beautiful. If a comeet can leave so much desris that we see showers like these every time we pass through its trail, makes you wonder how long a comet will last till it's used up all its substance. A comet must be the solar system's equivalent to Pigpen in the Peanuts cartoons. Graeme Quote Graeme____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SivartM Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 A comet must be the solar system's equivalent to Pigpen in the Peanuts cartoons. I thought I once read a comic where they made a joke to that point... but maybe not. Quote "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde�Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." - Jesus
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