The Leonids, Comet Biela and Biela's associated meteoroid stream

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Abstract
Of all the meteor showers regularly seen from Earth, the Leonids produces by far the most spectacular display, though only at intervals of about 33 years. Comet Biela is the best documented example of a cometary nucleus dividing into two parts, a break-up that considerably enhanced the comet's associated meteroid stream. An intriguing suggestion was made by Bosler & Roure, namely that the division of comet Biela came about because of its passage through the Leonid stream in 1846. We have investigated the dynamics of the two orbits and confirm that the minimum distance between the orbits of Biela and the Leonid stream is very small. It was further discovered that in 1832, Comet Biela was close to the main bulk of the Leonid stream. The future of the enhanced stream caused. by the break up of comet Biela is also investigated and it is predicted that this stream will start to intersect the Earth's orbit in 2120, producing a new meteor shower. The possibility that the passage of the nucleus of Biela through the densest part of the Leonid stream could cause the break-up of Biela is also discussed.

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