11:40 AM | Meteor shower after midnight and it could be quite good

[Comet 209P/LINEAR is still quite faint, but it was captured recently in this time exposure photograph]

Discussion

The Earth will pass through a stream of debris this weekend from a comet known officially as “209P/LINEAR”. This encounter could produce an outburst of bright meteors numbering more than 200 per hour if some forecast models are correct. The best time to look for these “May Camelopardalids” is between 2 and 4am early tomorrow morning. Earth won't be the only body passing through the debris zone. The Moon will also be encountering this debris field and meteoroids hitting the lunar surface may actually produce explosions that are visible through backyard telescopes on Earth.

There is much uncertainty about the strength of this meteor shower, however, both on Earth and on the Moon. As far as we know, our planet has never passed directly through a debris stream from Comet 209P/LINEAR, so no one knows exactly how much comet dust lies ahead. A magnificent meteor shower could erupt, with streaks of light in terrestrial skies and sparkling explosions on the Moon--or it could be a complete dud.

This comet is rapidly approaching Earth with its closest approach arriving on May 28th-29th. Hopefully, it will be bright enough to view in telescopes within just a few days. Comet 209P/LINEAR was discovered in February 2004 and unlike long-period comets like Hale-Bopp or ISON, it will be a frequent visitor as it swings around the sun every 5 years or so. Fortunately, the moon should not be much of an obstruction for viewing this week (waning crescent) and next when 209P/LINEAR is closest and brightest.