1998 Leonids Meteor Shower
News story originally written on November 7, 1998

The Leonids meteor shower is going to be real big this year around November 17/18th. It can be seen from anywhere in the northern hemisphere.

The name "Leonids" comes from the constellation Leo. The meteors seem to come from Leo even though they don't. They actually come from a comet.

The comet that causes the Leonids meteor shower is called Temple-Tuttle. It orbits the sun every 33 years. When it gets near the sun pieces of it break off. Those pieces are the meteors we see.

You'll be able to see the most meteors in the Leonids meteor shower before dawn on November 18th. And if you're in Asia you'll have the best show.

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