Why Scientists Are Stunned: Iberian Peninsula Stops Moving Unexpectedly - Futura, le média qui explore le monde

A fossil theropod vertebra about the length of a thumb, found in the Algarve region in southern Portugal, may be the oldest dinosaur remains ever discovered on the Iberian Peninsula. An artist’s impression of Sarcosaurus. Image credit: TotalDino / CC BY 4.0.

FORT McMURRAY, Alta. — There is just one week to go until the peak of the Orionid meteor shower. Skywatchers could see some of the fastest meteors of the year streaking across the predawn sky. The Orionids peak overnight Oct. 21 and 22 and can produce up to 20 meteors per hour under dark, favourable conditions. The shower is active from Oct. 2 through Nov. 7. The meteors are comprised of debris left behind by Halley’s Comet, which last passed by in 1986. As Earth passes through the comet’s debris stream each October, the particles strike the atmosphere at about 68 kilometres per second. Richard Covey, amateur astronomer, published astrophotographer and member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, says the Orionids are especially appealing because of their speed and their connection to one of astronomy’s best-known comets. “You’re literally watching tiny pieces of Halley’s Comet burn up in the atmosphere. They’re moving incredibly fast, so the Orionids can produce some very sharp, impressive streaks across the sky.”Moonlight will make this year’s peak more challenging. The Moon will be bright around Oct. 21 and 22, washing out many of the fainter meteors for much of the night