Photo: EPA
The June Bootids meteor shower has reached its peak, offering skywatchers a chance to witness one of the most unpredictable meteor displays of the year.
Unlike most annual meteor showers, which follow fairly consistent patterns, the June Bootids are known for their surprises. In many years, observers see only a few meteors per hour. However, the shower has occasionally produced spectacular outbursts.
In 1998, observers recorded up to 100 meteors per hour, while in 2004 the shower produced between 20 and 50 meteors per hour. By contrast, astronomers expected a strong display in 2010, but only about 10 meteors per hour were observed.
The meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through debris left behind by Comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke, which orbits the Sun roughly every six years. As the comet's particles enter Earth's atmosphere, they burn up and create bright streaks of light across the sky.
The June Bootids are active during the final week of June, with peak activity expected between June 20 and June 27. So far, activity has remained modest, with only a handful of meteors visible each hour. Nevertheless, astronomers continue to monitor the shower because of its history of unexpected outbursts.
For the best viewing experience, observers should find a location away from city lights. The shower's radiant lies in the constellation Boötes, which appears high above the western and southwestern horizon during the evening. However, experts recommend looking at a broad section of the sky rather than directly at the radiant and allowing about 20 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the darkness.
Earlier this year, NASA confirmed that a bright fireball exploded over New England on May 30, releasing energy equivalent to about 230 tons of TNT and generating a sonic boom heard across several U.S. states and Canadian provinces.
