Save Newport Real News in Newport Beach
TONIGHT will be the peak night to watch the Leonid meteor shower! Actually, it will technically be in the wee hours of Thursday morning– but you get the drift! The nearly-full moon will be out the during the evening hours, but hopefully you can still catch some good shooting stars!
Individual meteors will appear to originate from the shower’s namesake constellation, Leo, which rises in the east in the predawn hours this time of the year. The Leonids are often bright meteors with a high percentage of persistent trains.
Maximum meteors: about 10-20 meteors per hour.
Velocity: 44 miles/sec
When: As usual: The best time to see ANY meteor shower is the hour or two before dawn. Try between midnight-2am for some great results without losing *too* much sleep! You may also be able to catch some of these beforehand as spectacular “Earth Grazers”, beginning at about midnight.
Where: If you can, get as high up as possible to sit above the light and air pollution to get the best sights. I personally prefer Top Of The World in Laguna Beach.
Editor’s note: If you snap a great picture of the meteor shower– please send it in!
