Meteor showers are one of the most dazzling events in the universe and can be seen in the night sky without the need for equipment such as a telescope or binoculars. Meteors are space rocks that enter Earth’s atmosphere. As the rock moves closer to the Earth, the resistance (or drag) of the air causes it to become very hot, emitting light. However, the bright streaks aren’t actually rock, but the blazing hot air surrounding it. As the Earth orbits the sun, it periodically passes through dust and debris left behind by comets and asteroids. These fragments create meteor showers.
Most meteor showers are predictable and occur when our planet passes through a specific area filled with debris. Skywatchers have a chance to see a new meteor shower, which may occur over the coming week. This small meteor shower, called Tau Herculids, will fall from the shattered comet SW3 on May 30. The “Meteor” event will peak on May 31st. It can be seen in parts of the United States and Canada.
Some reports describe it as “the most powerful meteor storm in generations,” but astronomers are more cautious about that designation. Comet SW3 (73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3) was first discovered in 1930. In 1995, it unexpectedly brightened and shattered, releasing a massive amount of dust, gas, and debris. The comet orbits the sun every 5.4 years and has made several close flybys of Earth, but is mostly invisible. Over the years, the comet became further fragmented.
Next week, Earth will cross SW3’s orbit, and detailed analysis of the path shows that debris from the planet has spread along the comet’s orbit. The fragments are too small for us to see, so we won’t be able to tell whether they have spread far enough to meet Earth until we encounter them, one report said.
The American Meteor Society (AMS) assures us that the comet itself won’t appear anywhere near Earth, but debris from the 1995 event could light up our skies with meteors.
Whatever happens, astronomers are watching the event closely to develop a deeper understanding of the comet and how it breaks apart.
