Bootids pose satellite threat

Spaceweather.com reports that the Earth is heading for the Bootids - a cloud of dust shed by Comet Pons-Winnecke in the 19th century.

The Bootid meteor shower is active each year in late June with this year’s peak expected to occur on June 23rd.

Normally the shower is weak, but occasional surges produce dozens to hundreds of meteors per hour. The potential exists for such a surge this year, posing the threat of physical damage to satellites.

•Date: 22nd June 2004 • Region: Worldwide •Type: Article •Topic: Telecoms continuity
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