Maximum of the alpha-Capricornid meteor shower

Maximum of the alpha Capricornid meteor shower

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L’meteor swarm des alpha-Capricornides is active from July 3 to August 15. It takes its name from the constellation to which he is close, the Capricorn Constellation, capricorn in Latin.

This swarm comes from the passage of the comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova, discovered in December 1948 by Minoru Honda, as well as by Antonin Mrkos and L’udmila Pajdusakova. It passes close to the Earth every five years and three months. The swarm produces meteors often very bright and slow, sometimes even racing cars of color yellow.

To observe alpha-Capricornids, locate the constellation Capricorn around 2:45 a.m. UT, above the southwestern horizon. The hourly rate, estimated at 5, is low and it will therefore be necessary to be patient. However, combined with the sightings of the Southern delta-Aquarids, you should not be disappointed. The absence of the Moon will only be beneficial.

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