SWARM OF METEORS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 119, 16 November 1932, Page 10

SWARM OF METEORS

'■ UNIQUE SPECTACLE

DUE TO-MORROW MORNING

".The heavens were so full of meteors that there was not a vacant spot in the sky larger than the moon. It was like a huge umbrella, from .which thousands and thousands of sparks were falling." Such was the glowing description penned by an enthusiastic astronomer when, 66 years ago, he witnessed the display given by the swarm of meteors known as the Leonids. It is expected that, in the early hours to-morrow morning these meteors will be seen again, some astronomers anticipating a wonderful display. They may be expected to radiate from a point low in the north-east-ern sky, and the shower should be at its best between 2 a.m. and dawn.

The Leonid meteors made a spectacu-. lar appearance in 1833, and again ,in 1866. Every 33 years these shattered remnants of some old ' disintegrated planet give their major display, the orbits of the earth and the swarm crossing, although a few stragglers from the stream can be seen in the middle of November each year. It was expected that the meteors would be seen in 1899, and great public interest was evinced in them at the time, but owing to planetary perturbations the swarm was shifted slightly from its expected couTse and tho display did not eventuate. But it is anticipated that this year there will be something worth seeing, and astronomers and many others will be up early to-morrow morning, or perhaps will not go,to bed at all.

Concerted observations are to be made at all the observatories, and many cameras will be in operation. The meteors, it is'reckoned, wil} be best seen in Japan, China, Australia, and New Zealand, and should the display como up to expectations, the spectacle will be one unique to this generation and one for which it will be well worth while to miss somo hours of sleep.