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| Image credit: Spaceweather.com. |
For more information or for tips on star gazing, call 229-432-6955.
Showing posts with label comet Hartley 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comet Hartley 2. Show all posts
Friday, April 8, 2011
November 2010
There is really not much to see this month. Comet Hartley 2, which has been cruising part Earth for an entire month and offering up a great show for sky watchers, is presenting the possibility of its own meteor shower. While authorities are saying it is not likely, some fireballs have been spotted, and their paths have been traced back to the comet. It could be coincidence, or it could actually be a newly discovered meteor shower. It is expected to peak November 3-4. It should be radiating from the constellation Cygnus, which should be directly overhead after sunset. Do not expect to see a brilliant shower, however.
Last but not least, keep an eye out for the Leonids meteor shower, which is expected to peak November 17-18. The Leonids are caused by debris left by comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. As the name indicates, the shower can be seen radiating from the constellation Leo. Light from the full moon this month will probably obstruct many of the meteors from being seen, though.
For more information or for tips on star gazing, call 229-432-6955.
For more information or for tips on star gazing, call 229-432-6955.
October 2010
October is going to be a busy month for star gazers. First you have the Draconids meteor shower on the 8th and 9th. In the past, this shower put on a pretty good show, but not this year.
A better meteor shower will be on the 21st and 22nd. The Orionids shower, from the comet 1P/Halley, should produce 20 meteors an hour.
Then, we will have the small asteroid 2010 ST3 that will pass by the Earth at a distance of 4 million miles. Today ST3 is not a threat to us, but when this 150-foot rock return in 88 years it has a slight chance of hitting us. It will make its closest approach in mid-October.
Last but not least, comet Hartley 2 is cruising the constellation Cassiopeia heading for Perseus and Auriga. This is a small comet, but it is already producing a huge, green corona! It should be an easy target for binoculars and small telescopes.
For more information or for tips on star gazing, call 229-432-6955.
A better meteor shower will be on the 21st and 22nd. The Orionids shower, from the comet 1P/Halley, should produce 20 meteors an hour.
Then, we will have the small asteroid 2010 ST3 that will pass by the Earth at a distance of 4 million miles. Today ST3 is not a threat to us, but when this 150-foot rock return in 88 years it has a slight chance of hitting us. It will make its closest approach in mid-October.
Last but not least, comet Hartley 2 is cruising the constellation Cassiopeia heading for Perseus and Auriga. This is a small comet, but it is already producing a huge, green corona! It should be an easy target for binoculars and small telescopes.
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| Image credit: Spaceweather.com. |
For more information or for tips on star gazing, call 229-432-6955.
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