A meteor streaks across the sky against a background of star trails in this long-exposure image taken in 1985 during the Geminid shower
Posted on 05/04/2007 12:05:22 PM PDT by bedolido
Bits of Halley's Comet will streak into the Earth's atmosphere before dawn on Sunday during the peak of the eta Aquarid meteor shower. Although moonlight will make all but the brightest meteors impossible to see, those that are visible may be quite spectacular due to the geometry of the shower.
Halley's Comet last swung by the Earth in 1986 and now lies in the outer solar system. But every time it passes near the Sun on its 76-year orbit, the nucleus of the icy object sheds about 6 metres of material, which spreads out along the comet's orbit. Twice a year, the Earth runs into this dusty detritus, producing the eta Aquarids in May and the Orionids in October.
A meteor streaks across the sky against a background of star trails in this long-exposure image taken in 1985 during the Geminid shower
(Excerpt) Read more at space.newscientist.com ...
Where do they get the money to put on such a fine show?
Bump
"Top that!"
 |
||
| · join · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post new topic · | ||
Does that picture really have a spinning type effect to it? Or did I have too much to drink last night?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
