Meteor Storm of the Century - Comet 209P/Linear Dust Trails

This meteor shower hasn’t been observed before. The predictions of strong activity in 2014 are purely based on the close approach by the Earth to meteor trails that may have been left behind the the parent comet 209P/LINEAR in the past.

Over the years, there have been many failed attempts to predict meteor activity following the passage of bright long period comets. However 209P/LINEAR is a short period comet (period=5.09 years, perihelion 2014 May 6) and this ought to increase the chances of activity.

The predictions indicate a narrow peak (or several close peaks) at some time between 06h and 08h UT on the morning of May 24th, with most favouring the second hour. This will be during the hours of daylight from the UK, but would be well timed for observers in North America. Based on the narrowness of the peak, the ZHR seen pre-dawn by observers in western Europe would probably only be around 10.

The predicted radiant is at around RA 08h15m, Dec +79. This is in Camelopardalis and so will be in the northern sky – an area of sky that doesn’t become fully dark at this time of the year for much of the UK. The radiant will be at around 40 deg altitude above the northern horizon as dawn approaches.  

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