Comet Tempel-Tuttle and the Leonid Meteors

Abstract

The annual November Leonid meteor showers and the occasional Leonid meteor storms (e.g. 1833, 1966) are far better known than is the Leonid parent body, comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Since A.D. 902, enhanced Leonid meteor showers have been recorded around the time of the parent comet’s returns to perihelion (Yeomans 1981). To date, the parent comet itself, however, has not been seen for more than a few days at any apparition except in late 1865 and early 1866. The impending perihelion return of comet Tempel-Tuttle again raises the possibility of strong meteor displays in 1998-99 as well as a chance to observe the elusive parent comet.