Attention, Stargazers: A ‘Hit-Or-Miss’ Meteor Shower

An astronomical phenomenon may be visible to you: The Tau Herculids are a previously unseen meteor phenomenon. North American observers may be able to get a glimpse of a fresh meteor shower on the evening of May 30 through May 31. In terms of whether or not the meteors will be seen, NASA considers this a “hit or miss” occurrence.

Due to the circumstance that this occurrence has never occurred before, it is unsure. During a meteor shower, particles of debris in the sky collide with Earth’s stratosphere and combust, causing a light streak to emerge in the skies.

Comet Tau Herculid just previously fragmented, making this year’s meteor shower unique. First noticed in the 1930s, it wasn’t rediscovered until about the 1970s since it was so dim.  The object abruptly became considerably bright in 1995, and scientists recognized it had broken apart, leaving behind a path of material in its route. Now that Earth is moving through the cloud of debris created by the comet’s ongoing fragmentation, a magnificent meteor shower may be on the way!

It’s possible that a meteor showering might occur if SW3 material was flying faster – beyond 220 miles an hour whenever it detached from the celestial body. Zero meteors will be ejected from this celestial body if the material is ejected at a low velocity.

As a result, if any meteors are seen, they will be travelling more slowly than usual and seem pale. For the greatest viewing conditions, go for a dark location with little ambient light in North America plus clear sky. At approximately 1 a.m. ET just on East Coast as well as roughly 10 p.m. PT along the West Coast, the shower should be at its height.

Observing a meteor shower does not need a telescope nor binoculars, as per instructions from space.com, but perhaps you should resist gazing at strong light elements like your smartphone before you begin.