Skywatchers should keep an eye on the heavens next week as the June Bootids meteor shower reaches its peak. This annual display is notoriously unpredictable, typically producing only a handful of meteors per hour.
What makes the June Bootids noteworthy is its history of unexpected activity. While usually a minor shower, it has delivered sudden, intense outbursts in the past, catching astronomers and enthusiasts off guard.
Observers hoping to catch the show should look toward the constellation Boötes in the northern sky. The best viewing times are typically in the hours after midnight, away from city lights.
The shower is caused by debris from the periodic comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke. The comet's irregular orbit and the spread of its debris stream contribute to the shower's variability from year to year.