Leonid meteors dazzle under moonless sky

Clear moonless night Nov. 17-18 could mean excellent viewing

Throughout November, Venus slowly loses altitude in the early morning twilight, its reign as our “morning star” gradually coming to an end.

As Venus sinks into the early twilight, bright Jupiter climbs higher on each successive morning. On the morning of Nov. 13, these two planets sit side by side low above the ESE horizon. Venus (mag. -3.9) will sit on the left, with Jupiter

(mag. -1.7) to the right. Mars (mag. 1.7) sits high above to the right of the pair. Look for the waning crescent moon just to the left below Mars on the morning of Nov. 15. A slightly thinner crescent moon sits just above Jupiter (which is now higher in the sky than Venus) on the morning of the 16th.

As dusk falls on Nov. 20, look for Saturn just below a thin, waxing crescent moon, with Mercury closer to the horizon. Mercury is at its greatest elongation east of the sun on Nov. 23, but due to the shallow angle of the ecliptic (apparent path that the sun, moon and planets follow across the sky) at this time of the year, Mercury will not get very high above the horizon. Binoculars might help you spot this diminutive planet.

November’s premier meteor shower - the Leonids - peaks on the night of Nov. 17 and into the pre-dawn hours of Nov. 18. The Leonids are debris left by Comet Tempel-Tuttle as its makes its trip through the solar system and around the sun every 33.3 years. This year, the new moon on Nov. 18 will leave the night sky on the 17th and 18th moonless, providing an excellent opportunity, weather permitting, of viewing this famous shower. The Leonids (radiant in the constellation of Leo - the Lion) are responsible for some of the most intense meteor storms (literally thousands per hour) throughout history. Though no meteor storm associated with the Leonids is expected this year, under a dark sky away from city lights, 20-plus bright meteors per hour should be visible, particularly once Leo is higher in the ESE sky during the pre-dawn hours of Nov. 18. Just remember to dress warmly, take something to sit or lie on and to be patient.

Put your back to the east, and enjoy the show.

Until next month, clear skies.