Clouds loom on big night for meteor storm-gazers

Heavy cloud and rain are expected to spoil the party for many star-gazers hoping to view a rare meteor shower over Ireland tonight.

According to Met Eireann, a storm front moving in from the Atlantic today will black out much of the country, with only a slight possibility of eastern areas having clear skies.

Astronomy enthusiasts, however, are encouraging people to come out whatever the weather and try to catch a glimpse of the Leonid meteor storm, which could be the most spectacular in 33 years.

"We'll be out there no matter what," said Mr Tony Ryan, honorary secretary of Astronomy Ireland. "And it would be worth going out tomorrow [Thursday] night, too, in case there is a second peak."

The meteor shower is caused by the Earth passing through the dust trail left by the Tempel-Tuttle comet, which crosses the Earth's orbit around November 17th each year. A heavy shower, involving bright blue and green meteor trails, occurs approximately every 33 years when the Earth passes through the thickest part of the trail.

Piercing the Earth's atmosphere at 45 miles per second, the Leonid meteors are so called because they appear to come from the direction of the constellation Leo.

The shower begins at 11 p.m. tonight, reaching its peak at 2.08 a.m. tomorrow. Under a clear, dark sky observers facing north-east can expect to see up to 20 meteors per minute streak across the sky.

Mr Pat Clarke, a Met Eireann forecaster, said there was a possibility of the cloud and rain holding off or of some breaks across the country. However, "the balance of evidence is that the cloud will make steady progress eastwards, blocking the sky completely.

"There is a small chance it may slow down and the east will escape, but it will be late Thursday or Friday before the cloud begins to lift from the west."

Leonid watches are being held tonight by Astronomy Ireland at nine locations. They include the Papal Cross car-park, Phoenix Park, Dublin; Ballyphehane Community Centre, Cork; the Astronomy Shop, Longstone Street, Lisburn, Co Antrim; St Coman's GAA Club, Mullingar, Co Westmeath; the Horseman viewing bay (on N4 between Boyle and Ballinafad), Ballina, Co Mayo; the Ballykisteen Golf and Country Club carpark, Tipperary; Ballyvary school, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Venues have to be finalised for Clonmel, Co Tipperary, and New Ross, Co Wexford. Call (052) 21892 or (087) 683-6824 for further details. All events start at 10 p.m.

A live Webcast of the Leonid meteor shower can be viewed at: www.leonidslive.com

Further details of Astronomy Ireland events can be found at www.astronomy.ie