MAIN Science Astronomy & Aerospace Meteor Showers

Meteor showers have been observed by civilizations dating back to ancient times, when they were often attributed to the anger of the gods or, as late as the 17th century, to major nighttime thunderstorms that were believed to produce "thunderstones".

Today, thanks to pioneering astronomers such as Edmond Halley we now know the true origins of the extraterrestrial specks that are more correctly associated with dust left behind by passing comets, meteorites and asteroids.

By tradition, meteor showers were named after the nearest bright star in the night sky from which they appear to originate. Therefore, the Leo constellation lends its name to the annual Leonid meteor shower; the constellation Gemini to the Geminids; the constellation Orion to the Orionids; and Perseus to the annual Perseid meteor shower.

However, the actual source of the Leonid meteor shower, for example, is now known to be debris from the comet Tempel-Tuttle. from which sand-sized specks continue to enter the earth's atmosphere each November.

Every meteor shower can be traced back to a similar celestial event whose traces can still be seen in spectacular annual shows of "falling stars" that are actually no bigger than a grain of sand and traveling at speeds of up to 30,000 miles per hour.

Best viewing tips

The most famous meteor showers are notably regular in their timing, with peak viewing times usually limited to a "one night only" spectacular.

However, some meteor showers can potentially be visible for days depending on weather and location.

The best time to view meteor showers are from midnight to the predawn hours when the sky is at its darkest, and the contrast greatest between the night sky and the streaks of light swiftly passing by.

The less light visible, the more brilliant the meteor shower will appear, and a prime location out in the suburbs or countryside is always preferable to urban areas where bright city lights will impair viewing.

While mostly viewable to the naked eye, annual meteor showers may be in any year partially obstructed by the moon, clouds or night mist, so amateur astronomers might want to carry along a pair of binoculars just in case.

Even on clear nights, some type of viewing aid may come in handy for catching sight of even the faintest of falling stars, aptly named "telescopic" meteors. On super clear nights, forget the telescope and simply look up.

For photographing meteors, a digital camera mounted on a tripod helps to steady the images that swiftly move across the sky. A quick trigger finger also helps, but even random clicks during the height of viewing "prime-time" will guarantee that you'll catch something!

Be sure to have the camera focused on infinity and, if your camera permits, leave the shutter open for several minutes for the most spectacular photographic effects.

More about meteor showers around the Web:

Meteor shower - Wikipedia entry on meteors and their origins with information on historical and technical details on predicting their occurrence, overviews of famous and notable meteor showers with related photos, references and resources.

Meteor Showers Online - A complete look at the celestial phenomenon with historical facts and the science behind it, with practical tips on best viewing techniques, educational resources, and related links.

Meteors: A Primer - Brief but informative overview of common terms that help identify various sizes and types of meteors.

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