RANDOM NOTHINGNESS

The annual Leonid Meteor Shower is here once again.

This phenomenon, which is marked by an increased occurrence of meteors in the skies, is attributed to the comet Tempel-Tuttle, which passes through our inner solar system every 33 years.  Its annual passage across the Earth's orbit leaves behind tiny bits of material, the size of sand grains or peas, which spread out through time.  Every year around November 17-18, the Earth passes through these trails, and the debris enter the atmosphere.

The speed of the debris (which is by the way very fast due to a combination of their inherent speed as they were left behind by Tempel-Tuttle plus their direction which is opposite that of the Earth's movement) compresses the air in front of the particles, which in turn heats up the air.  The heated air ignites the particles, producing the spectacular display of light bursts that we see in the sky.

This year the Leonid Meteor Shower may be observed here in the Philippines.  PAGASA said that the best viewing time would be from November 17, 11 pm through November 18, 6 am.

So, who wants to join me at the UP Observatory tonight? ;-D