Wunderbar Festival : : Listening to Leonids

Listening to Leonids

“...On November 17th, 2009, we expect the Leonids to produce upwards of 500 meteors per hour. That’s a very strong display...”
Bill Cooke (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)

Between the 10th and 20th of November 2009, Earth will pass through a stream of meteors, the Leonids – a prolific meteor shower known as “the King of Meteor Showers” – producing not only a spectacular light show in the night sky, but also the opportunity to hear their progress across the upper atmosphere.

Astronomers have noticed a unique phenomenon relating to meteors, as under certain circumstances, observers seem able to hear meteors as they see them. Technically this should be impossible, as, traveling at the speed of sound, these noises should take around 5 minutes to arrive on earth. However, a phenomenon has been discovered suggesting that certain everyday household objects responding to electromagnetic
radiation given off by the meteor can act as makeshift radio receivers. These objects can be as varied as aluminum foil, wire-frame glasses, thin wires, pine needles, old aerials, and even dry or frizzy hair!

To test out this theory, Ed Carter will be spending time in preparatory research at Kielder Observatory during the festival and will be sharing his findings in an online diary you can follow on this page. As part of the Wunderbar Grand Chaser on Sunday 15th, Ed will present his research findings and show you how you too can ‘Listen to Leonids’.

You’ll then be equipped and able to share your experiences with us and fellow listeners here on this site. The peak time for hearing and seeing the Leonids is on 17th and 18th November, so make sure you’re prepared to be part of this celestial spectacle.

Information

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Listening to Leonids
Ed Carter

Listening to Leonids 5 - Recording

Listening to Leonids 4 - Ask a pro

Listening to Leonids 3 - Car radio

Listening to Leonids 2 - Aerials

Please send in your own DIY recordings of the Leonids meteor shower.

Ed will be regularly updating us on his research here on the website during the festival.

Sunday 15th
as part the Grand Chaser make your own Listening to Leonids kit with Ed.

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