HUNTSVILLE, Ala., June 18 (UPI) -- Stargazers should see unexpected meteor showers twice next week, U.S. astronomers said Friday.
Astronomers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center said on the nights of June 22-23 and June 26-27, fragments from Comet Pons-Winnecke should cross Earth's orbit and cause the showers -- called the June Bootids, because they seem to originate from the constellation Bootes.
Western North America and the Pacific Ocean should provide the best views. Bootes will appear nearly overhead and high up in the northern sky after sunset and will remain in view through the night as it descends toward the northwest.
The first night, on June 22-23, astronomers said, the moon will be a wide crescent and will set just before midnight, local daylight time. On June 26-27, the moon will be more of a hindrance to seeing the shower because it will have increased in brightness to a bright gibbous phase and will not set until after 1:30 a.m., local time.
