Four separate groups that forecast the 2001 Leonids all generated slightly different predictions. And while they all agreed there would be some strong activity, none of them was completely right. Rates were higher than expected in some places and lower in others. And last year’s Leonids produced better activity for a longer stretch of time than anyone anticipated. Peak times, however, were not far off in general.

For you and me, the bottom line is this in 2002: Go out at least an hour before the predicted peak and stay until dawn. Don’t give up. Weather permitting, and even in a bright city, there will be something to see. It may blow you away.