A rare Meteor shower outburst possible this week Thursday night into Friday morning
If you look up on to the sky’s this Thursday night and Friday morning the 21st & 22nd of November 2019. The upcoming Alpha Monocerotid meteor shower could produce a meteor outburst, which means there could be multiple shooting stars per second streaming from the unicorn constellation.
There's nothing particularly magical about the Alpha Monocerotids. They appear to originate near the star Procyon, which is next to the constellation Monoceros, the Greek name for unicorn.
The shower is known for occasionally packing a dense flurry of activity into a brief viewing window. The meteors appear between November 15 through the 25th of each year, and peak around the 22nd. Several times a century, the shower treats sky gazers to an "outburst" of shooting stars that lasts less than an hour.
continues below
Such an outburst is predicted for 2019. According to astronomers Peter Jenniskens and Esko Lyytinen, the Earth is on track to pass through a thick portion of the tail of the unknown comet that provides debris for the shower. The conditions are almost the same as they were in 1995, when the Alpha Monocerotids lit up the sky at a rate of 400 meteors per hour, which is approaching meteor storm levels. For that reason, the scientists are expecting shooting stars to appear in the same numbers this time around.
The outburst is predicted to happen at around 4:50am Friday morning here in Ireland with a duration of 15 up to 40 minutes maximum. This would be perfect and would be around 2 hours before dawn.
continues below
Donegal Weather Channel 2020 Calendar
A selection of photos by Donegal Weather Channel over the last year in different locations through out Ireland, during different weather conditions and sky events to capture the best images for you.
THE MOON
The moon will not have any big effect either on viewing conditions as it will be a crescent moon only 23.1% full and rises just before 2am.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR IRELAND & THE UK
At present there look like there will be cloud around but some clear spells could also develop in places across Ireland something you can keep a eye on in the forecast over the coming days and update,
Chance look better across parts of the UK especially across parts of England and Scotland but not some much for Wales.
Kenneth from the Donegal Weather Channel.
Click on the tabs below to view the new forecasts available under the forecast section.
2019 CALENDAR NOW ON SALE
2019 Calendar now on sale
You can now purchase the Donegal Weather Channel Calendar 2019. You can purchase the Calendar from the online store
All calendars will be posted out in the middle of November with only a limited amount available. Calendars can be purchased anywhere across the world.
The stunning Leitir Mhic An Bhaird (Lettermacaward) Donegal during May 2018
Vivid Rainbow from up on Breezy mountain South Donegal
I was in Albufeira Portugal I was waiting for the full moon to come up and it did not let me down.
The orange and red tints that the Moon sometimes take on rising and setting are caused by the particles in the Earth's atmosphere. When light (or more specifically, packets of light called photons) from an astronomical object passes through the Earth's atmosphere, it scatters off of particles in the latter.
What a unbelievable night and morning out storm chasing, These number of thunderstorms had to be the best in years as most of the lightning was CG bolts. I even manage to captures Two to three CG bolts in one shot.
One of the most beautiful views of Slieve league From sea and got some nice photos.
Photos from this angle I have not seen yet and it was wonderful to finally capture that moment.
Donegal Weather Channel 2023 Calendar
A selection of photos by Donegal Weather Channel over the last year in different locations through out Ireland, during different weather conditions and sky events to capture the best images for you. You can now pre order your Calendar 2023 which will be available for postage by the end of November 2023. Work wide postage available.
By buying a Calendar you are help fund and secure the future of Donegal Weather for another year.
Kind Regards
Kenneth