When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.The June Bootids usually produce just a handful of meteors, but this notoriously unpredictable shower has a history of surprise outbursts. | Credit: Created in Canva ProHeads up, stargazers! The notoriously unpredictable June Bootid meteor shower is set to peak next week — and anything could happen.While most annual meteor showers follow a fairly predictable script, the June Bootids have a habit of surprising astronomers. Most years, the shower produces only a few meteors per hour. Occasionally, however, it erupts into an unexpected display.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn 1998, skywatchers were treated to an outburst of up to 100 meteors per hour, while another burst in 2004 produced an estimated 20-50 meteors per hour, according to the Royal Museums Greenwich. Yet the shower remains notoriously difficult to predict. In 2010, astronomers anticipated another outburst, but fewer than 10 meteors per hour were reported.What causes the Bootids? The June Bootids occur when Earth passes through debris left behind by comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke, which orbits the sun approximately every six years. As fragments of this icy wanderer’s trail enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up and create bright streaks of light we call meteors, or shooting stars.When is it? The shower is active through late June, with the peak of the shower predicted for between June 20 and June 27, according to the American Meteor Society.How can I see it? Most years, the June Bootids put on a very modest show with just one or two meteors per hour. However, they have earned a reputation for the unexpected, which is why many skywatchers keep an eye on them despite their modest rates. You never really know what the June Bootids have in store.Boötes remains visible throughout the summer. | Credit: StellariumWebCamera Pick: Nikon Z8Nikon Z8 and NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f4 S on a white backgroundIf you’re looking for a great camera to photograph meteors, we recommend the Sony A7R IV, which we’ve named the best mirrorless camera in our guide to the best cameras for astrophotography.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor the best chance of spotting a June Bootid, head to a dark l …
