Quote:
Originally Posted by Starr
hi there, always feel a bit to amateurish to say much. I'm just checking out if the leonids are due next week
Cheers, Starr NE Victoria
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Yes, indeed they are. I've even seen a prediction of a small peak of around 40 ZHR on the morning of the 18th (I think, might have to chase that one down) but the peak would happen over African longitudes. Any observers in Australia might see gradually increasing rates but you also might see the usual 4-10 per hour in that short window that southern Australia has. I've learnt from experience that while we don't get to see many Leonids due to the low altitude of the radiant here, there is always at least one ripper of a fireball around maximum, which can make it all worthwhile. Here in Perth (lat 32 S) I usually recommend to beginners that they observe from 2am to 4am non-daylight savings time, after which the twilight gets too bright. Since you are further south that might be different. However two of the best Leonids I ever saw was a massive earthgrazer around midnight one year, and the smoke train of a big fireball in the brightening morning twilight that hung around for 10 minutes!