"Lights Out for the Leonids"
The Independent 1.43 (10/27/99)
Residents of the the tri-town area have an opportunity to view what may prove to be a spectacular sky show in
mid-November. It is then that the Leonid meteor shower, associated with Comet Tempel-Tuttle, will be visible in the
skies over southern Onondaga County. The best view of the expected sky show will be by looking high in the eastern
skies late on the night of the 17th and in the pre-dawn hours of the 18th. You need only your eyes and our dark
skies.
Every year in mid-November Earth passes through the scattered dust and rubble left by the comet, causing the Leonid
Meteor shower. Sometimes, in the years nearest to the comet's regular 33-year visit, a true meteor storm can occur
while our planet passes through the fresh debris. A meteor storm can be a sight so magnificent that people many years
ago even thought that Judgement Day had come. According to the experts, 1999 has been estimated to be the best year for
strong meteor activity in this 33-year cycle. Although there is never a guarantee, last year's Leonid show was an
active one with many large fireball meteors. This year is predicted to contain many faint meteors as well as bright
ones.
The only thing that will seriously limit our experience of this spectacular celestial event (besides weather) is
outdoor lighting. Even though our area still enjoys some of the darkest skies in the state, the glare and upward spray
of most outdoor lighting can wash out our view of the subtle details of the heavens. Since faint meteors will be part
of the show, they may be lost in the haze from unnecessary light cast into the sky or shining in our eyes.
So what can be done? Well, please help to make this our best chance at seeing the Leonid meteor shower by shutting off
unnecessary outdoor lighting and by aiming downward or shielding any lighting that you feel has to remain on. Indeed,
even if you choose not to watch, your neighbors may want to see the show; so please consider them when using outdoor
lighting. In fact, such suggestions are good ones for any time of year to ensure that we here in the southern part of
the county keep our dark skies and beautiful, star-filled nights, a resource that is quickly disappearing in other
regions of the state and country.
Remember: stars up, lights down.
John McMahon
(John McMahon is a member of the Syracuse Astronomical Society, whose observatory is
located in Vesper.)