Andromedids meteor shower observed over France

Background. The Andromedids meteor shower is associated with Biela's Comet, occurring as Earth passes through old streams left by the comet's tail. The comet broke up by 1846, leading to spectacular showers in subsequent cycles, particularly in 1872 and 1885. Edmund Weiss determined in 1868 that Earth would intersect the comet's orbit in 1872, resulting in a strong meteor shower.

Observations. The 1872 display produced several thousand meteors per hour. Schmidt, observing from Athens, noted faint meteors with broad, smoke-like trains and orange or reddish coloration. In England, Lowe estimated at least 58,600 visible meteors between 5.50 and 10.30 pm, noting slower speeds than Leonids and distant gun-shot noises to the northwest.

Significance. The 1872 meteor stream, referred to as the Andromedids, further established the connection between comets and meteor showers. This event was part of a broader pattern of meteor showers resulting from interactions between Earth and debris streams from comets.