Section Branding
Header Content
Especially Active Meteor Shower Visible In Georgia Thursday
Primary Content
The Alpha Monocerotids meteor shower will be visible for Georgia residents late Thursday night, weather permitting.
Fernbank Science Center astronomer April Whitt said those who want to see the shower should set their sights left of Sirius, the dog star, which is the brightest star in the night sky.
GPB's Sarah Rose reports on the Alpha Monocertoids meteor shower.
Stargazers can find Sirius by following Orion's belt to the left (Orion's right).
"It's about 10 minutes to midnight when the most meteors should be visible," Whitt said. "If the sky is clear, you'll want to take a look."
Meteor showers happen when the Earth crosses through the residual trails of comets that have passed through our orbit.
The shower is visible every year around this time, although this year is set to be unusually active and visible.
"Some years there are not so many," Whitt said. "This year there's supposed to be a nice burst of them, but it's a very short time window."
Whitt said anyone who wants to watch the shower should go outside around 11 p.m. to get their eyes used to the dark.
She said the shower should last for 15 to 30 minutes.