1. Star Gazing in January -
The Coma Berenicids
Meteor Shower

2. The night sky in January is always interesting to observe,
to professional and amateur astronomers alike. The annual
meteor shower in the constellation Coma Berenices is not
generally known as a bringer of a great spectacle in the
night sky, but this year it did provide some spectacular
sights to observers who happened to be in the right place
at the right time

3. The meteor shower in Coma Berenices in December was
first recorded more than 50 years ago. At the time, it was
confused for another shower that occurs in the nearby
constellation Leo Minor. Subsequently, it was called the
"December Leo Minorids." The confusion is
understandable. The Coma Berenicids are approximately
just as swift entering the atmosphere as the Leo Minorids,
with velocities of approximately 64 kilometres per second.
Beyond that, as far as meteor showers go, the Coma
Berenicids are relatively inconspicuous, throwing only
several bright meteors each hour.

4. This year, howerever, might be an exception. While the
Coma Berenicids usually do not have any major displays of
activity, observers in the U.K. have reported quite a sight in
recent days, going so far as to describe it as "fire balls" in
the night sky. An observer in Cumbria reported seeing "a
huge bright yellow square with four triangular yellow
flashes emitting from the main body... it traveled slowly with
no sound from NE to SW and burnt out over the Sea--
fantastic sight!" An observer in Scotland reported "20-25
orange balls streaking across the sky" on New Year's Eve.

5. The meteor shower was so intense that it even frightened some observers. David Pulman, a
British pilot, said, "My wife has been in a bit of a panic ever since as she fears there is some sort
of official news black out! They were very easily visible- no need for telescope or binoculars.
They must have been pretty big too in order that we could see them so clearly- and obviously
fire balls- to the point of being able to see them (mostly) burn up in the atmosphere."

6. The meteor shower was so intense that it even frightened some observers. David Pulman, a
British pilot, said, "My wife has been in a bit of a panic ever since as she fears there is some sort
of official news black out! They were very easily visible- no need for telescope or binoculars.
They must have been pretty big too in order that we could see them so clearly- and obviously
fire balls- to the point of being able to see them (mostly) burn up in the atmosphere."