November 17, 2010 Leonids
Historically, the Leonids have produced some of the greatest meteor storms in history, with rates as high as many thousands of meteors per hour. These storms sometimes recur in cycles of 33 to 34 years. This year average meteor rates are expected, although there is always a potential surprise. Although the waxing gibbous moon shines till after midnight, the Leonids will likely be at their best after the moon sets for the night. Like the October Orionids, the Leonids ordinarily pick up steam after midnight and put out the greatest meteor numbers just before dawn. So here’s our suggestion for 2010. Try watching between midnight and dawn on November 17 and November 18. The most Leonids will probably fly in the wee hours before dawn, or after moonset.

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