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Astronomy

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Leonid Meteor Shower 2012: Where to Watch in Evanston

The Leonid meteor shower will peak on Nov. 17 and Nov. 20.

Keep your eyes on the sky during the pre-dawn hours of Nov. 17-20, because that's when the famous Leonid meteor shower is expected to peak. These meteors are fast (about 40 miles per second) and can leave trails of smoke, according to Astronomy.com. They will appear to radiate from the constellation Leo the Lion and can vary in color. "Many Leonids are also bright. Usually, the meteors are white or bluish-white, but in recent years some observers reported yellow-pink and copper-colored ones," according to Astronomy.com.  In Evanston, the best place to watch the meteor show is probably a park or open land, without much artificial light. Try Clark Street Beach or another one of the parks along the lakefront. Here's one of the 10 coolest …

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Taurid, Leonid, Geminid Meteor Showers Shoot Over Chicago Area

Look to the skies for some stunning light displays this November and December.

As you hang holiday lights and light holiday candles, cast your gaze upon the universe's natural fireworks, as well.  A thin crescent moon in 2012 will provide for dark nights and early morning light to enhance this year's North Taurid meteor shower display that peaks early Monday, Nov. 12, but some stragglers will appear for several more days, according to EarthSky.org. To see the showers, look for the moon and Venus in the east. Space.com reports the best time to see the Taurid meteors, or, "Halloween fireballs," started Nov. 5 and peaks on Monday, as the moon diminishes in brightness each night.  Ten to 15 yellow-orange meteors may appear per hour each night and appear to move very slowly, according to Space.com. Astronomers anticipate …

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