Every
year around this time, Earth glides through a
minefield of debris from Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle.
On the evening of Saturday, Nov. 18th, Earth will
graze a cloud of comet dust, producing an outburst
of Leonid meteors.
The
annual Leonid
Meteor Shower is one of the best showers each
year. If
forecasters are correct, the outburst will peak
around 9:45 p.m. MST on Nov. 18th. While the
timing favors observers in Europe, Brazil and the
Atlantic coast of North America, who could see as
many as 100 meteors per hour, sky-watchers across
the globe will be watching.
Although the Leonid shower is
expected to peak sharply on Nov. 18th, keep an eye
on the sky at other times, too. Leonids may appear
in fits and spurts all weekend long. The best time
to watch, generally speaking, is during the hours
before dawn when the constellation Leo is high in
the sky.
Do not believe everything you
read. While meteor forecasters have done a
splendid job predicting Leonid outbursts in recent
years, sometimes "nailing the peak within
minutes", they could be wrong in 2006. The
outburst might happen at an unexpected time or it
might be better than expected. Enthusiasts
everywhere are urged to keep an eye out for Leonid
meteors the nights of Nov. 17th – 19th.
Residents of the Storm
Mountain area and foothills to the east today are
in a band of relative calm between weather
warnings to both our east and west.
To the east, a High
Wind Warning is in effect with sustained winds
of 25 to 40mph and gust up to 60mph predicted. The
strongest winds are expected to develop late
Tuesday morning into Tuesday afternoon.
To the west a massive winter
storm is pounding the mountains with blizzard
conditions predicted in some areas. Intense
snowfall at rates of three inches per hour are
possible with accumulations of 10 to 20 inches
expected. A Snow
and Blowing Snow Advisory remains in effect
until 5PM MST for the northern and central
mountains.
Local residents are advised
to stay tuned to local weather sources for
possible changes, and or changing conditions, in
our immediate area. Any weather watches, warnings
or advisories for the Storm Mountain area will be
posted here as they are issued.
Listen to this article
Transit
of Mercury on Wednesday (Click image for full-size
animation)
This week we are featuring as
our photo of the week, an interesting image of the
planet Mercury passing in front of the Sun on last
Wednesday afternoon.
The photo was taken by area
photographer Darrell Spangler over a two hour
period beginning at noon on Wednesday, November
8th, from here on Storm Mountain. Special
equipment was used to avoid damage to the
photographer's eyes.
DO NOT EVER look directly
at the sun through any optical device,
including a camera, as instantaneous blindness can
occur! Proper and safe techniques for viewing
phenomena and events on or near the Sun can be
found here.
The transit of Mercury began
around 12:00PM MST and continued until
approximately 6:00PM MST. This event provided a
rare glimpse of the tiny planet, silhouetted
against the enormity of the Sun.
Saturday, November
11th - Shooting In South Ft Collins
On Saturday, November 11th, a
call came in to the Larimer County Sheriff’s
Dispatch at 4:53 P.M. reporting a possible
physical disturbance at 308 Park Place Court in
Fort Collins.
According to reports from the
residents at 308 Park Place Court, a female friend
came to the house and awhile later her husband
arrived. Preliminary investigation indicated they
were in the process of getting a divorce.
A verbal confrontation ensued
which then progressed to a physical confrontation.
Investigators believe at this time the husband
shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself.
The residents of 308 Park
Place Court were unharmed. The family included
husband, wife and two children, a nine year old
boy and a six year old girl. The two children did
not witness the incident, as they were in another
part of the house. The Larimer County Sheriff’s
Victim Advocates have been on scene assisting the
family.
The Larimer County Sheriff
Crime Scene Units are at the residence and
investigation will continue throughout the night.
