• Home
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Futurism
  • Weather Extreme

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

What's Hot

Flag Media Launches New Website to Effectively Tie All Business Divisions Together

September 22, 2023

Flag Blockchain Launches Flag Recovery Initiative and the FXR Token

September 22, 2023

Flag Wallet Adds Features and Functionality to Compete with MetaMask

September 19, 2023
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
Futurist JournalFuturist Journal
Demo
  • Home
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Futurism
  • Weather Extreme
Futurist JournalFuturist Journal
Home»Latest Science»Fragments of a dying comet might put on a spectacular show next week – or pass by without a trace
Latest Science

Fragments of a dying comet might put on a spectacular show next week – or pass by without a trace

NewsBy NewsMay 28, 2022Updated:May 28, 2022No Comments5 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

(The Conversation) – As Earth orbits the Sun, it ploughs through dust and debris left behind by comets and asteroids. That debris gives birth to meteor showers – which can be one of nature’s most amazing spectacles.

Most meteor showers are predictable, recurring annually when the Earth traverses a particular trail of debris.

Occasionally, however, Earth runs through a particularly narrow, dense clump of debris. This results in a meteor storm, sending thousands of shooting stars streaking across the sky each hour.

A minor shower called the Tau Herculids could create a meteor storm for observers in the Americas next week. But while some websites promise “the most powerful meteor storm in generations”, astronomers are a little more cautious.

Introducing comet SW3

The story begins with a comet called 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 (comet SW3 for short). First spotted in 1930, it is responsible for a weak meteor shower called the Tau Herculids, which nowadays appears to radiate from a point about ten degrees from the bright star Arcturus.

In 1995, comet SW3 suddenly and unexpectedly brightened. A number of outbursts were observed over a few months. The comet had catastrophically fragmented, releasing huge amounts of dust, gas, and debris.

By 2006 (two orbits later), comet SW3 had disintegrated further, into several bright fragments accompanied by many smaller chunks.

Fragments of comet 73P seen by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2006. NASA, ESA, H. Weaver (APL/JHU), M. Mutchler and Z. Levay (STScI)

Is Earth on a collision course?

This year, Earth will cross comet SW3’s orbit at the end of May.

Detailed computer modeling suggests debris has been spreading out along the comet’s orbit like enormous thin tentacles in space.

Has the debris spread far enough to encounter Earth? It depends on how much debris was ejected in 1995 and how rapidly that debris was flung outwards as the comet fell apart. But the pieces of dust and debris are so small we can’t see them until we run into them. So how can we get an insight into what might happen next week?

Could history repeat itself?

Our current understanding of meteor showers began 150 years ago with an event quite similar to SW3’s story.

A comet called comet 3D/Biela was discovered in 1772. It was a short-period comet, like SW3, returning every 6.6 years.

In 1846, the comet began to behave strangely. Observers saw its head had split in two, and some described an “archway of cometary matter” between the pieces.

At the comet’s next return, in 1852, the two fragments had clearly separated and both were fluctuating unpredictably in brightness.

The comet was never seen again.

But in late November of 1872, an unexpected meteor storm graced northern skies, stunning observers with rates of more than 3,000 meteors per hour.

The meteor storm occurred when the Earth crossed 3D/Biela’s orbit: it was where the comet itself should have been two months earlier. A second storm, weaker than the first, occurred in 1885, when the Earth once more encountered the comet’s remains.

3D/Biela had disintegrated into rubble, but the two great meteor storms it produced served as a fitting wake.

A dying comet, falling apart before our eyes, and an associated meteor shower, usually barely imperceptible against the background noise. Are we about to see history repeat itself with comet SW3?

What does this suggest for the Tau Herculids?

The main difference between the events of 1872 and this year’s Tau Herculids comes down to the timing of Earth’s crossing of the cometary orbits. In 1872, Earth crossed Biela’s orbit several months after the comet was due, running through material lagging behind where the comet would have been.

By contrast, the encounter between Earth and SW3’s debris stream next week happens several months before the comet is due to reach the crossing point. So the debris needs to have spread ahead of the comet for a meteor storm to occur.

Could the debris have spread far enough to encounter Earth? Some models suggest we’ll see a strong display from the shower, others suggest the debris will fall just short.

Don’t count your meteors before they’ve flashed!

Whatever happens, observations of next week’s shower will greatly improve our understanding of how comet fragmentation events happen.

Calculations show Earth will cross SW3’s orbit at about 3pm, May 31 (AEST). If the debris reaches far enough forward for Earth to encounter it, then an outburst from the Tau Herculids is likely, but it will only last an hour or two.

From Australia, the show (if there is one) will be over before it’s dark enough to see what’s happening.

Observers in North and South America will, however, have a ringside seat.

They are more likely to see a moderate display of slow-moving meteors than a huge storm. This would be a great result, but might be a little disappointing.

However, there is a chance the shower could put on a truly spectacular display. Astronomers are traveling across the world, just in case.

What about Australian observers?

There’s also a small chance any activity will last longer than expected, or even arrive a bit late. Even if you’re in Australia, it’s worth looking up on the evening of May 31, just in case you can get a glimpse of a fragment from a dying comet!

The 1995 debris stream is just one of many laid down by the comet in past decades.

During the early morning of May 31, around 4am (AEST), Earth will cross debris from the comet’s 1892 passage around the Sun. Later that evening, around 8pm, May 31 (AEST), Earth will cross debris laid down by the comet in 1897.

However, debris from those visits will have spread out over time, and therefore we expect only a few meteors to grace our skies from those streams. But, as always, we might be wrong – the only way to know is to go out and see!

Suggest a Correction

Source

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
News
  • Website

Related Posts

Scientists Revive 46,000-Year-Old Worm That Was Frozen In Siberian Permafrost

July 30, 2023

There is a ‘Gravity Hole’ in the Indian Ocean. Scientists Now Think They Know Why

July 26, 2023

Century-Old Paradigm Overturned – Brain Shape Matters More Than Neural Connectivity

July 22, 2023

How fish evolved their bony, scaly armor

July 17, 2023

James Webb Telescope catches glimpse of possi

July 14, 2023

Utah’s Famously White Snow Is Getting Dusty

July 10, 2023

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recent Posts
  • Flag Media Launches New Website to Effectively Tie All Business Divisions Together
  • Flag Blockchain Launches Flag Recovery Initiative and the FXR Token
  • Flag Wallet Adds Features and Functionality to Compete with MetaMask
  • Flag Blockchain Sets a New Standard by Forking the Popular Polygon Blockchain
  • Here’s how hot and extreme the summer has been, and it’s only halfway over
Recent Comments
    Demo
    Top Posts

    Flag Media Launches New Website to Effectively Tie All Business Divisions Together

    September 22, 2023

    A Look at the Future of More Sustainable Living and Travel

    June 5, 2021

    Germany’s patriotism paradox

    July 18, 2021
    Don't Miss

    Flag Media Launches New Website to Effectively Tie All Business Divisions Together

    September 22, 2023

    [Frisco, TX] – Flag Media, a dynamic and innovative conglomerate, is proud to announce the…

    Flag Blockchain Launches Flag Recovery Initiative and the FXR Token

    September 22, 2023

    Flag Wallet Adds Features and Functionality to Compete with MetaMask

    September 19, 2023

    Flag Blockchain Sets a New Standard by Forking the Popular Polygon Blockchain

    September 18, 2023
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • TikTok
    • WhatsApp
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Latest Reviews
    Demo
    Most Popular

    Flag Media Launches New Website to Effectively Tie All Business Divisions Together

    September 22, 2023

    A Look at the Future of More Sustainable Living and Travel

    June 5, 2021

    Germany’s patriotism paradox

    July 18, 2021
    Our Picks

    Flag Media Launches New Website to Effectively Tie All Business Divisions Together

    September 22, 2023

    Flag Blockchain Launches Flag Recovery Initiative and the FXR Token

    September 22, 2023

    Flag Wallet Adds Features and Functionality to Compete with MetaMask

    September 19, 2023
    Editor's Pick

    Whoopsies! Fossil From The Dawn Of Life Actually Just Bees

    February 3, 2023

    ESR Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Metal Kickstand case hands-on: Drop protection with two-way stand

    April 17, 2022

    ‘Heat apocalypse’ warning in western France as thousands flee wildfire | France

    July 18, 2022
    Futurist Journal
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube Dribbble
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    © 2023 futuristjournal.com - All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.