In Wyoming, the only showers we typically hear about in November are snow showers -- something most of us would not choose to be out in, especially at night.

Yet, November offers a chance to stay out and enjoy a very special kind of shower: the Leonids Meteor Shower.

A meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through the dusty debris left over from the passage of a comet. As the Earth moves through the debris field, tiny pieces of the comet enter our atmosphere.

The comet that left the debris of the Leonids was comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Comet Tempel-Tuttle passed Earth's orbit in 1466. Just like a spacecraft re-entering our atmosphere, these pieces get hot and begin to glow, leaving a streak of light across the sky.

Most meteors are no larger than a grain of sand. Larger pieces, those as big as a pea or marble, become extremely hot and are visible as "fireballs." Rarely is a meteor large enough to survive its encounter with the atmosphere and strike Earth's surface.

Meteors usually appear to come from one specific point in the sky, something astronomers call the "radiant." Because of this, meteor showers are named for the constellation in which the radiant lies. In the case of the Leonids, the radiant is in the constellation Leo the Lion. Leo rises above the horizon after 1 a.m. during November, so the best time to observe Leonids is between 2 a.m. and dawn.

Additionally, meteor showers have what astronomers refer to as the "peak" of the shower. This is the time when the Earth is in the most dense portion of the comet debris field. The peak of this year's Leonids occurs on the morning of Nov. 17.

While every meteor shower's presence varies, astronomers are predicting a good show for the 2009 Leonids. Earth will pass through a denser region of the debris field this year than in years past. This combined with a new moon should make for a wonderful viewing experience, provided the weather cooperates.

Obviously the early morning hours of any November day in Wyoming can be on the chilly side. Since the best way to observe meteor showers is from the comfort of a reclining lawn chair, it is best to bundle up.

The human body radiates a great deal of heat when it is motionless, and nothing ruins an observing session faster than having to go to the emergency room with frostbite or hypothermia. Layered clothing, blankets and warm, non-alcoholic beverages are the best way to keep the body's temperature from falling to dangerous levels.

For sky watchers not interested in rising before dawn for the Leonids, Jupiter offers an alternative that is visible all night. During November, Jupiter is clearly visible in the south in the constellation Capricornus. Since Capricornus is made up of relatively faint stars, there should be no problem locating dazzling Jupiter.

The skies of November are relatively plain and uninteresting in terms of bright stars and deep sky objects. Planets are relatively scarce this November except in the pre-dawn sky. Yet the universe compensates us by offering a chance to witness a spectacular show visible from nowhere else in our solar system, the famous Leonids Meteor Shower.

Rod Kennedy is a technician at the Casper Planetarium. He can be reached at 307-577-0310 or rodk@tribcsp.com