FORT McMURRAY — Sky watchers in northern Alberta will get a clear view of the Leonid meteor shower overnight as the annual display reaches its peak under dark, moonless conditions.
Astronomers say the shower will be most active between midnight and sunrise, with as many as 15 meteors per hour under ideal skies and the possibility of bright Earth grazers earlier in the night. The Moon is only nine per cent illuminated, creating near perfect viewing conditions.
Richard Covey, a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, says the Leonids are famous for brief but intense peaks.
“These meteors travel incredibly fast and when conditions line up, the show can be spectacular,” Covey said. “This is one of the better years for viewing because the Moon will not interfere.”
The Leonids begin when Earth passes through debris shed by the comet Tempel Tuttle, which orbits the Sun every 33 years. Most years produce a modest shower, though historic storms have generated up to a thousand meteors per hour. The last such storm was in 2002.
Covey says people in the Fort McMurray region should find a dark spot away from streetlights, face east and give their eyes about 30 minutes to adjust.
“Just lie back, stay warm and look up,” he said. “No equipment is needed. These particles are tiny, about the size of a grain of sand, but they burn brilliantly when they hit the atmosphere.”
Astronomers say the shower remains active for several weeks, but tonight’s window offers the best chance for a strong display.
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