Tau Herculids
A meteor shower from comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, with outbursts in 1930 and 2022.
The Tau Herculids (TAH #0061) are a meteor shower first spotted in 1930, seeming to radiate from the star Tau Herculis. Their parent body is periodic comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, which orbits the Sun every 5.4 years. The shower is active each year from May 19 to June 19. It was initially observed at the Kwasan Observatory in Kyoto, Japan, in May 1930. The average radiant position for the Tau Herculids is α=236°, δ=+41°. Because Jupiter's gravity perturbs the meteor stream, the radiant for the 2022 activity shifted to R.A. = 13:56 (209), Decl. = +28, placing it northwest of the star Arcturus in Boötes. These meteors are relatively slow, entering the atmosphere at about 16 km/s (36,000 mph).
In 1930, the comet passed 0.062 AU (9.3 million km) from Earth on May 31, and on June 9 a meteor outburst occurred with a zenithal hourly rate near 100. The comet reached perihelion on June 14 of that year. On May 30–31, 2022 (peaking around 4:00–5:00 UT on May 31), a modest meteor shower appeared, caused by fragments from the 1995 breakup of parent comet 73P. This required those fragments to have drifted ahead of the comet over the preceding 27 years. The parent comet now has 69 known fragments and will not reach perihelion (0.97 AU from the Sun) until August 25, 2022. On May 30, 2022, comet 73P/Schwassmann–Wachmann was 1.5 AU from the Sun and 1.4 AU (210 million km) from Earth. The next expected notable displays of the Tau Herculids are in 2033 and 2049.
Quick Facts
- Parent
- 73P/Schwassmann–Wachmann
- Constellation
- Boötes
- Ra
- 13 · 56
- Dec
- +28
- Month
- May 19 – June 19
- Peak
- May 31
- Velocity
- 16
- Zhr
- variable (Class III)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Tau Herculids were first observed by the Kwasan Observatory in Kyoto, Japan, in May 1930. Their parent comet, periodic comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, passed about 0.062 AU from Earth on 31 May 1930. On 9 June 1930, a meteor outburst was observed with a zenithal hourly rate of around 100, and the comet reached perihelion on 14 June 1930. The meteors are relatively slow-moving, entering the atmosphere at about 16 km/s (36,000 mph).
Due to orbital perturbations by Jupiter, the 2022 activity had a different radiant: R.A. = 13:56 (209), Decl. = +28, located north-west of the star Arcturus in the constellation Boötes. On 30–31 May 2022 (31 May 4:00-5:00 UT), a modest meteor shower was generated by fragments from the 1995 break-up of the parent comet 73P. These fragments had been migrating ahead of the comet for 27 years. The parent comet has 69 known fragments and does not come to perihelion (0.97 AU from the Sun) until 25 August 2022. On 30 May 2022, comet 73P/Schwassmann–Wachmann was 1.5 AU from the Sun and 1.4 AU (210 million km) from Earth.
The next notable appearances of the Tau Herculids are expected in 2033 and 2049.
Reader's Guide
The Tau Herculids are significant primarily for their association with comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, a periodic comet with a 5.4-year orbit that has fragmented into at least 69 known pieces. The 1930 discovery and outburst, observed from Kyoto, Japan, established the shower's link to the comet. The 2022 event was notable because it was caused by debris from the comet's 1995 breakup, demonstrating how cometary fragmentation can produce meteor showers years later. This event was observed by the Global Meteor Network and radio meteor observers, with peak activity around 4:00 UT on 31 May 2022. The shower's radiant shift due to Jupiter's perturbations highlights the dynamic nature of meteor streams. The next predicted appearances in 2033 and 2049 offer opportunities for further study. The shower's slow meteors (16 km/s) make them distinct from faster showers like the Perseids.
Did You Know?
- On 9 June 1930, a meteor outburst with a zenithal hourly rate of around 100 was observed.
- The 2022 Tau Herculid shower was generated by fragments from the 1995 break-up of parent comet 73P.
More in Meteor Showers 1-24
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