Berenicid meteor shower to peak Tuesday

Not normally known for spectacular meteor displays, the Coma Berenicid shower is making news.

Observers from around the world have noted impressive light showers beginning New Year’s Eve. The Berenicid shower usually occurs between December 8 to January 23, with the early morning hours of January 19 being the peak hour of activity.

First discovered by Australian amateur astronomer B. Lowe in 1912, the meteors disperse from a comet with a 75 year orbit.  The two major sightings of the meteor shower from this particular comet occurred about 27 and 157 years apart.

Stargazers should watch the general area around the Coma Berenices constellation, just east of Leo. Best gazing times are several hours after midnight and just before dawn.