Earth To Cross: Comet Deluge

EARTH TO CROSS COMET DELUGE Astronomers expect spectacular displays of meteor showers over North America and Europe on Wednesday and Thursday as the Earth crosses the path of comet Swift-Tuttle's orbit Comet's orbit Dust trail: Comets leave trail of debris strewn along their orbits which burn up as meteor showers when they enter the Earth's atmosphere Earth Draning Not to scale Earth's orbit Sun Comet Comet's tail is always forced by solar winds away from the Sun. Tail is longest when closest to the Sun and can be up to 100 million km in length Source: Space Atlas, Dorling Kindersley PEUTER