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View Full Version : Where in the sky do meteors come from at any arbitrary point in the year?


dotancohen
Sep4-10, 10:05 AM
I understand that there are different meteor showers at different times of year, and that they are named for the constellation from which the meteors seems to come from (to an Earth-based observer). Does the point of "exit" for arbitrary meteors all year follow a pattern or a great circle on the celetial sphere?

For instance, if in September a view thinks that he may have seen a meteor, come he follow the vector of travel in reverse to confirm/deny that it originated from the expected "exit spot" and therefore confirm/deny the he did in fact see a meteor?

Thanks.

Integral
Sep4-10, 06:20 PM
The known meteor showers occur when the earth passes through or near the path of expired comets. Comets leave in their wake a trail of debris that continues to orbit along the path of the comet.

dotancohen
Sep7-10, 02:20 AM
Thank you Integral, I know that. The question was if the apparent point of origin (such as the Perseus constellation for the Perseids) is in a predictable location as per the time of year, and how to know that location if such.

Thanks.