Quick burst of meteors will streak across Massachusetts skies Thursday night

Several meteors per minute at peak

It will be very brief. But it could be unforgettable.On Thursday night, look toward the east-southeast, low in the sky, starting just after 11 p.m. Shortly thereafter, you may witness a 40-minute burst of meteors that could reach a rate of around 400 meteors per hour!The Alpha Monocerotids will radiate from near a constellation called Monoceros the Unicorn. Because of where this meteor shower is located relative to the constellation, some are affectionately calling them the "Unicorn meteors."As for our local weather, clouds will be arriving from the west around the time of the event, but it should be worth it to try to catch the meteor shower in eastern-most southern New England.According to EarthSky.org, the shower will be centered around 11:50 p.m., so if you want to catch the full show, be sure to get outside before then. For best viewing, a very dark sky with no obstructions (trees, hills, buildings) to the southeast will be a must.

BOSTON —

It will be very brief. But it could be unforgettable.

On Thursday night, look toward the east-southeast, low in the sky, starting just after 11 p.m. Shortly thereafter, you may witness a 40-minute burst of meteors that could reach a rate of around 400 meteors per hour!

The Alpha Monocerotids will radiate from near a constellation called Monoceros the Unicorn. Because of where this meteor shower is located relative to the constellation, some are affectionately calling them the "Unicorn meteors."

As for our local weather, clouds will be arriving from the west around the time of the event, but it should be worth it to try to catch the meteor shower in eastern-most southern New England.

According to EarthSky.org, the shower will be centered around 11:50 p.m., so if you want to catch the full show, be sure to get outside before then. For best viewing, a very dark sky with no obstructions (trees, hills, buildings) to the southeast will be a must.

Unicorn meteor shower on Thursday night