Expert: Ed - 3/30/2010

Question
I've written a fictional children's book about a spectacular meteor shower that we viewed back in 2002 or maybe 2003 in Denver CO. I've been searching the web to try and find out what one it was to write an additional informative/educational section on meteor showers. It might have been the Leonid, but the places I've looked mention the shower in 2002 but not if it was well viewed in Denver Co. Do you have any ideas? Or do you know what might be the best meteor shower to write about viewing in the U.S. I'm not a scientist, but a mom and teacher who's always looking for unique things to get kids interested in.

Answer
Ann, meteor showers are typically visible over a much broader area than just one state.  But maybe Colorado had really excellent weather conditions (no clouds) for stargazing one year??  It's certainly possible.  I would try contacting a local planetarium, a science journalist, or the astronomy department at a local university.  They would probably have some records handy.

Here are some places you could get started.

http://www.dmns.org/planetarium/current-shows

http://aps.colorado.edu/

Also, try your local newspaper, if they have a resident science journalist that you trust.  OK, I hope this gets you started.  Keep Looking Up!
-Ed