PORTLAND (WGME) — A rare and notoriously unpredictable meteor shower is set to peak over Maine on Friday night, offering sky watchers a potentially stunning celestial show, if the weather cooperates.
The Boötid meteor shower, active from June 22 to July 2, will reach its peak Friday night. Known for its erratic behavior, this shower can range from a barely noticeable trickle to a dazzling outburst of more than 100 meteors per hour. The last major event of this magnitude occurred in 1998.
Meteor showers like the Boötids happen when Earth passes through debris left behind by a comet. In this case, the dust originates from Comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke, a 3-mile-wide comet, whose fragments burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, creating the brilliant streaks of light we call meteors.
What makes the Boötids especially interesting is their “boom or bust” nature. In many years, only a few meteors are visible during the peak. But on rare occasions, the shower produces a flurry of activity, making it well worth a look, even when the odds are uncertain.
If you’re planning to catch a glimpse, look west after sunset, nearly directly overhead, toward the direction of the setting sun.
Although a major display is not guaranteed, any meteors that do appear tonight could leave long-lasting, bright trails across the sky.
Unfortunately, the weather forecast isn’t ideal, with clouds expected to increase into the evening. However, if you can find a clear patch of sky, the lack of moonlight will provide excellent viewing conditions.
Even if you spot just one meteor, it could be a spectacular one, so grab a blanket, head outside around sunset, and keep your eyes on the sky.
