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The swarm ofshooting Stars des delta-Cancrides is active from 1er to January 24. Its name comes from the Cancer Constellation where meteors come from.
The first sightings of this swarm were reported in 1872, but it was not until 1971 that its existence was confirmed. It comes from the comet Ryves.
The resulting shooting stars are rather slow, with a speed 30 km/s, while the fastest reach 70 km/s. The hourly rate will be low, it is planned four per hour.
This swarm has a particularity: the shooting stars come from the place where the Crèche cluster is located, M44. If you’re pointing binoculars or a telescope to observe this cluster, you may be lucky enough to see a meteor cross your field of vision.
To observe the delta-Cancrides, locate around 7:00 p.m. UT the constellation Cancer above the eastern horizon. Shooting stars will come from a place between the constellations of Cancer and Gemini. Pay attention to the Full moon which might bother you.
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