Mark November 17, 2009 on your calendars because astronomers predict that the annual Leonids might put up a light show so dramatic it wasn’t seen since 1999 and 2001.  In recent years, the Leonids have put up a rather “boring” show but astronomers believe that 2009 will be different with around 500 meteors streaking across the sky every hour.

With that much meteors (a.k.a. shooting stars or falling stars), the chances of seeing a fireball such as the one taken by Arne Danielsen in the photo above back in 1999 is big so you better prepare for it.  The Leonids are basically debris left behind by the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle.  The reason why astronomers think that we’ll be getting many meteors in 2009 is because earth will be passing close to the center of the comet’s debris trail laid down in 1466.

What you’ll need to view this “hopefully” amazing meteor shower is a dark sky, far away from city lights and jackets/sweaters/blankets to keep from you from the cold.  A reclining chair will help in preventing that nasty stiffed-neck as well.  No need for telescopes or binoculars.

It’s still 11 months from now but early is always better.  Viewers in Asia are favored and probably even North America.