Leonid dust trail position in 2006

There will be a small, sharp meteor outburst visible from western parts of Europe and Africa in 2006. Although the Earth will pass right through the trail generated by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle two revolutions previously, it will be through a part of the trail a long way behind the comet, where the density has decreased substantially. The estimated Zenithal Hourly Rate, based on comparison with a similar event in 1969, is 120. Estimated time 04:45 UT. Only the 2-revolution trail shown in this plot (many years from passage of comet, too lazy to calculate several other trails). A fuller explanation of these trail cross section plots is available. Go to Armagh Observatory Leonid page.

Last Revised: 2009 November 10th