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Active from December 3 to 15, the swarm ofshooting Stars sigma-Hydrides owes its name to the female hydra constellation where it seems to come from.
It was Richard E. McCrosky and Annette Posen who discovered it in 1961, when they listed the meteorite swarms. However, observations of these meteors are reported in 1937, with an hourly rate of five, while it does not exceed three today.
These shooting stars are very fast and streak the sky at the speed of 58 km / s. No one knows to this day which comet is at the origin of this swarm.
To see the sigma-Hydrides, observe over the southeast horizon, around 5:00 UT, at the head of the female Hydra, which you will find between the Leo constellations and Small Dog. No Moon to get in the way. Enjoy it!
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