Astronomers Don't know what is going to happen tonight. They know that the earth is going to pass through the debris field left by Comet 209P/Linear in 1803. Some astronomers think that there may be as many as 200 meteors per hour. But because no one was watching these things in the early 19th century no one is really sure what is going to happen.
If the meteor shower is a dud, you can wait until morning when their will be a close convergence of the crescent moon with Venus. Also, beginning at sunset on May 24 will be the Muslim holiday Lailat al Mi'raj. This celebrates Muhammad's well known night journey from Mecca to the al Aqsa mosque on the temple mount in Jerusalem, from which he ascended to heaven.
Look to the north around and below the star Polaris, also know as the north star to see the meteors. They are supposed to peak between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. eastern standard time. But, because there is so much uncertainty, if you are out tonight and it is clear, take a few minutes and look to the north. Here is a diagram from Sky and Telescope magazine that shows where to look.
If it is cloudy where you are, you can still watch it live on the internet. SLOOH, as they do so often, will have a live feed on youtube starting at 11:00 EDT. You can watch it right here on DTTO or on you.tube.
New Meteor Shower May Spark Meteor Storm Tonight: Watch It Live
Stargazers may see some celestial
fireworks this Memorial Day weekend thanks to a new meteor shower
from a comet that, according to some forecasts, has the potential to
trigger a spectacular meteor storm late tonight and early Saturday
(May 23 and 24). If bad weather spoils your view, you can watch it
live online.
Indeed, there appears to be a chance
that a very significant new meteor shower – possibly even the best
of 2014 – could take place. The progenitor of this possible display
is Comet 209P/LINEAR, a tiny periodic comet discovered in 2004 by the
Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research project (LINEAR).
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