In the night you should stay awake – Telemarksavisa

SKI: When the soil every year in November hit the remains of the tail of the comet Tempel-Tuttle, we can see meteor swarm Leonids weather permitting.

If you think it is exciting to observe meteors, and you have the ability to be awake in the dark night hours, recommend astronomer Jan-Erik Ovaldsen that you get with the swarm.

– Most have seen shooting stars or meteors before. Tuesday night it may therefore come as 15 an hour if you find yourself under a dark starry sky. If you are lucky, you might see a real bright meteor or fireball. They can light stronger than the full moon and leave behind a smoke tracks that are visible long after the meteor has gone out. In addition, one can see the planets Jupiter, Mars and Venus in the hours before dawn, telling Ovaldsen to Østlandets Sheet.

More in December

There are several annual meteor showers. Leonids is one of them.

– An average Leonidas-swarm, which this year is no big event for me or research. But there are many sky watchers who is fascinated by meteors and meteor showers, says Ovaldsen.

It’s meteor swarm coming in December that creates expectations among astronomer.

– Geminids might this year’s finest and most reliable swarm. It could provide tens of meteors per hour under maximum. The moon stays below the horizon, both during the Leonids and Geminids and will not interfere with observations. In that sense we are fortunate this year. The weather gets no done something. I have significantly greater expectations for Geminids, he said.

Tips

An experienced star titter about Ovaldsen have good advice for you to experience meteor swarms on their best. It is necessary to observe from a dark location.

Find yourself anytime an area with expansive views of the sky and which, moreover, is set back from bright light sources, so that the eyes can adapt to dark.

You only need your own eyes, not binoculars or telescope. A sleeping pad, sleeping bag and a thermos of coffee or hot cocoa is recommended peripherals, besides proper warm clothing, of course. A little patience will come in handy.