The Unpredictable June Bootids - not doomsday related

I believe this could be the cause of this months numerous meteor reports.

Quick Facts:

The June Bootid meteor shower is active each year in late June. The next peak is expected on June 23rd around 1100 UT (4 a.m. PDT).

Normally the shower is weak, but occasional outbursts produce dozens to hundreds of meteors per hour.

The shower's radiant lies in the constellation Bootes (right ascension 14h 56m, declination 48o), best seen by observers in the northern hemisphere.

The source of the June Bootids is periodic comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke.

June Bootid meteoroids are slow. They hit Earth's atmosphere with a velocity of "only" 18 km/s (40,000 mph), and appear to move slowly compared to most meteors.




If you don't live in western North America, be alert for June Bootids anyway. This shower is historically unpredictable, and it could become active at unexpected times. The radiant is visible as soon as the sun sets on June 22nd, and remains so all night long.

Originally posted by quadricle
The June Bootid meteor shower is active each year in late June. The next peak is expected on June 23rd around 1100 UT (4 a.m. PDT).

just a reminder to the western north americans,

hope you're up before dawn,

maybe you will be lucky to spot the meteor showers (if they happen)

get out those telescopes, cameras, corders and get some pix

[edit on 22-6-2004 by quadricle]