‘Unicorn’ Meteor Shower Happening Thursday Night

Multiple shooting stars per second could stream across the night sky Thursday night.

It's referred to as the Alpha Monocerotid meteor shower and it could produce a meteor outburst around 11:45 p.m. ET Thursday. According to WIS News, astronomers have been watching the conditions closely. We can expect to see the show from Earth as it passes through pieces of debris left over by a comet.

Why is it called a 'unicorn' meteor shower? According to reports, the source of the Alpha Monocerotids is still unknown, but it appears to originate from the constellation Monoceros, which is the Greek name for unicorn.

Astronomers advise viewers to stay patient and that the viewing time is tentative. Meteors are unpredictable. So, if you're out viewing and don't see anything for several minutes, don't give up.