Leonids Meteor Showers in November 2009 in North America

If you still want to see the Leonid Meteor Shower you have not missed it yet. The Leonid Meteor Shower can be seen during November from the 13^th to the 20^th in 2009. This yearly occurring show in the sky's meteor shower occurs every year in November. If you like watching lights streaking across the night sky then you should not miss this years Leonid Meteor Shower.

The Leonid Meteor Shower had its peak-viewing day in the early morning of November 17, 2009. Although you still have a few more nights or early mornings to watch the Leonid Meteor Shower this year. Some times the moon will interfere with viewing meteor showers, but not this year. This year we will have a new moon so it should not obscure the Leonid Meteor Shower in November 2009.

It is time to pull out the telescope and look at the stars once again. If you have children you could share this meteor shower with them. Looking at the stars and meteors in the night sky could encourage children to be more involved in science or astronomy. You could start by looking for the constellation Leo in the night sky with your telescope.

The Leonid Meteor Shower will be located in the constellation Leo, which looks kind of like a backwards question mark. The constellation Leo looks like a lion and has about nine stars located in it, with the Regulus star, which is one of the brightest stars that you can see in the night sky. You will want to look towards the southeastern night sky. You may be able to see as many as a few hundred meteors per hour and some great looking fireballs during this meteor shower.

When and Where to View the Leonid Meteor Shower:

Those who are lucky enough to live in the Eastern part of the United States or Canada will have the best viewing position for the Leonid Meteor Shower. The ultimate viewing times for the Leonid Meteor Shower is at 3:30 and 5:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. You can still see the Leonid Meteor Shower from midnight until first light. If you are not located in the eastern U.S. or eastern Canada no need to worry, you still will be able to see some lights from the meteors streaking around the night sky.

Do not sleep through another meteor shower this year. You now know when and where to look for the sometimes called shooting stars. Although, if you just cannot stay up that late or get up that early, you could try again next year.

Sources:

Joe Rao, "Strong Leonid meteor showers expected Nov. 17" www.msnbc.msn.com

StarDate Online, "Constellation Leo, the Lion" www.stardate.org