The month of June 2022 is about to end, but not before closing with a flourish and giving us a beautiful shower of stars called Bootids. This meteor shower is not usually well known because it shows irregular activity every year, however, it is expected that in 2022 it will give us some dazzling lights crossing the sky. Find out about the sighting dates and the measures necessary to see the Bootid meteor shower.
Bootid Star Shower 2022
The one known as Bootids is not as popular as other more active rains, because it has irregular periods, which is why it is not considered in calendars. But it is expected that in 2022 it will give us a light show in the celestial vault.
Its activity runs from June 22 to July 2, although it will have a day of greater activity where the radiant will rest high in the sky, allowing its observers to admire the meteors fired from it towards the entire sky. In 2022, the busiest day will be June 27, when it is expected to reach its maximum splendor.
All meteor showers originate from the debris of a celestial body, so when the Earth crosses its orbit around the Sun with these reminiscences of comets or asteroids, meteor showers occur. This happens because there is a chemical reaction between cosmic dust and terrestrial dust, which generates the dazzling lights that we call meteor showers.
In the case of the Bootids, their origin comes from the debris left behind by the 7P/Pons-Winnecke that was discovered in 1819 by Jean Louis Pons, although it was later rediscovered by August Theodor Winnecke in 1858.
How to see the Bootid meteor shower
Like all other meteor showers, to admire the beauty of the June 2022 Bootids, it is recommended to find a site away from light pollution and with optimal dark conditions. This way the artificial light will not eclipse the lights from the sky and you will be able to observe the night show in its maximum splendor.
The Moon will be in its waning crescent phase, so it will already be very close to the full moon and its brightness will not hinder the passage of bright meteors in the celestial vault.
The Bootids will be active during their period from June 22 to July 2 from dusk until 05:43, however, their highest point will be on June 27 when they will reach their maximum activity at 22:00 CDT . At this time, its radiant point located in the constellation of Bootes, from which they take their name, will be at the top of the sky as shown in the image above.
To observe the spectacle it is not necessary to look towards the radiant, since although the meteors will leave from this point, they will spread to all regions of the sky, so if you cannot locate it in the sky there is no cause for concern.
Finally, it is recommended not to look at artificial light displays for at least 30 minutes before admiring the meteor shower, so that your eyes become accustomed to the darkness and it is easier for you to detect objects in the sky.
If you love meteor showers, you can check all the dates of these electrifying astronomical events in our calendar. Schedule your appointment with the cosmos and don’t miss the opportunity to admire a meteor shower in its maximum splendor at least once in your life.
*Cover image credit: Jeff Day.