Moonlight will hinder the Leonids meteors in 2022
The height morning for 2022’s Leonid meteor shower is November 18. However – sadly – this 12 months a fats waning crescent moon, only one day previous final quarter, will intrude. However that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t watch the Leonids in 2022. Right here’s how you can decrease the moon and optimize the 2022 Leonids.
1. Optimize your night time sky for meteors
This could go with out saying, however only a reminder to keep away from metropolis lights. A large open space – a discipline or a lonely nation highway – is finest when you’re critical about watching meteors. Go to EarthSky’s Best Places to Stargaze to discover a darkish location close to you.
2. Discover a moon shadow
On nights when the moon is full, or practically full, you’ll discover that the moon casts shadows. If you’re on the market watching the Leonids in 2022, don’t stand underneath a large open sky. As an alternative, discover a moon shadow someplace that also gives you with a large expanse of sky for meteor-viewing. A plateau space with high-standing mountains to dam out the moon would work simply superb. When you can’t do this, discover a hedgerow of bushes bordering a large open discipline someplace (although receive permission, if it’s non-public land). Or just sit within the shadow of a barn or different constructing. Ensconced inside a moon shadow, and much from the glow of metropolis lights, the night time impulsively darkens and may also help you see extra meteors. You may’t run from the moon, however you’ll be able to positive disguise from it.
3. Look fastidiously on the meteors
For many meteor showers, it’s all about the depend. Meteor-watchers like to depend what number of meteors they see in, say, an hour. However when the moon is obscuring the view, your meteor depend shall be manner down. So, as a substitute of counting, take a look at every meteor you do see fastidiously. Discover the velocity and colours, if any, of the meteors. Discover whether or not, as they streak by means of your sky, the meteors “pop” with brightness all of a sudden.
Additionally, look ahead to meteor trains. A meteor practice is a persistent glow within the air, left by some meteors after they’ve light from view. Trains are attributable to luminous ionized matter left within the wake of this incoming space particles. Exhausting to see within the moonlight, however look ahead to them!
4. Look ahead to earthgrazers and fireballs
Earthgrazers. Most meteor showers are finest after midnight, and the Leonids aren’t any exception. In actual fact, the Leonids are usually richest shortly earlier than daybreak, when their radiant level – within the constellation Leo – is excessive within the sky. However you may as well strive waiting for meteors in late night. And late night is the very best time to catch what’s known as an earthgrazer: a vivid, long-lasting meteor that travels horizontally throughout the sky. Earthgrazers are uncommon however memorable, when you’re fortunate sufficient to identify one.
Fireballs. Even in vivid moonlight, you may see an especially vivid meteor. Astronomers name them fireballs, and you’ve got a shot at seeing one whereas watching a meteor bathe. In contrast to the meteors in annual showers – which begin out no greater than rice grains and are bits left behind by icy comets – a fireball begins as a bigger, rockier object. So, fireballs aren’t essentially a part of the meteor bathe. However when you occur to be outdoors watching a meteor bathe, you may see one! When you do, you can report it here.
5. Make your self snug
Convey alongside a blanket, some mates, a scorching drink and a garden chair. You’ll be extra snug with a reclining garden chair. If a number of of you’re watching, take completely different elements of the sky. When you see one, shout “Meteor!” Let your eyes rove casually in all elements of the sky. Gown warmly, the nights will be cool or chilly, even in the course of the spring and summer time months. You’ll in all probability respect that blanket and heat drink within the wee hours of the morning. Additionally, go away your laptops and tablets house; even utilizing the nighttime darkish mode will smash your night time imaginative and prescient.
6. Get pleasure from nature
Not each meteor bathe is a winner. Typically, you come away having seen just one meteor. However contemplate this. If that one meteor is a fairly one, or a colourful one, or it takes a sluggish path throughout a starry night time sky, then it was value it. Perhaps you merely loved being outdoors, bathing within the moonlight, smelling the night time air and chatting with a pal. Heaven!
From a veteran sky photographer
Backside line: A really vivid moon that’s up all night time will do its finest to drown out the 2022 Leonid meteor bathe. Listed here are some suggestions for having fun with the moonlit Leonids in 2022.
