Catch a meteor show this weekend

Where to see it
Those regions of the Earth that are in prime position to see another potential Leonid outburst are western Africa and western and central Europe, where the constellation Leo will ride high in the southeast sky as the peak of the shower arrives.  Morning twilight will begin shortly thereafter. 

In North America, for the Maritime Provinces of Canada, New England, eastern New York and Bermuda, the Sickle of Leo (from where the Leonids appear to emanate) will be above the east-northeast horizon just as the shower is due to reach its peak.  But because Leo will be at a much lower altitude compared with Europe, meteor rates correspondingly may be much lower as well.  However, this very special circumstance could lead to the appearance of a few long-trailed Earth-grazing meteors, due to meteoroids that skim along a path nearly parallel to Earth's surface.  Seeing even just one of these meteors tracing a long, majestic path across the sky could make a chilly night under the stars worthwhile.

Unfortunately, for the central and western United States and Canada, the Leonid outburst will likely have passed before Leo rises; at best, nothing more than the usual 10 or so Leonids per hour will likely be seen.

Keep in mind that for New England and U.S. East Coast, the peak is due locally on the previous day: Saturday at 11:45 p.m. ET. (For the Canadian Maritimes and Bermuda, the corresponding time is 12:45 a.m. Sunday.  For Newfoundland it is also on Sunday, but at 1:15 a.m.).

Preparing for your meteor watch
No two observers prepare for a meteor vigil the same way.  It helps to have had a late-afternoon nap, a shower, and to wear all fresh clothing. 

Be sure to keep this in mind: At this time of year, meteor watching can be a long, cold business. Expect the ambient air temperature to be far below what your local radio or TV weathercaster predicts.  When you sit quite still, close to the rapidly cooling ground, you can become very chilled.  You wait and you wait for meteors to appear. When they don't appear right away, and if you're cold and uncomfortable, you're not going to be looking for meteors for very long! Therefore, make sure you're warm and comfortable.

Heavy blankets, sleeping bags, groundcloths, auto cushions and pillows are essential equipment.

Warm cocoa or coffee can take the edge off the chill, as well as provide a slight stimulus. It's even better if you can observe with friends. That way, you can keep each other awake, as well as cover more sky.  Give your eyes time to adapt to the dark before looking in earnest.

Probably the best bet is to rest on a lawn lounge chair, all the way back, so you can look up and see the whole sky.  When you see a streak, mentally run it backwards across the sky.  Do the same with the second and the third, and note where their paths cross.  Right there should be the Sickle of Leo (with the bright planet Saturn also shining in that same general vicinity), and that's where the Leonid radiant will be.

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