Brief, spectacular meteor flurry expected this week

Scientists are predicting a rare meteor outburst this week that may be brief but intense.

A brilliant flurry in the sky near the Unicorn constellation is expected Thursday night over the eastern half of North America and all of South America. The action should unfold early Friday over the western portions of Europe and Africa. Hundreds of shooting stars may be visible as Earth plows through the dusty tail of an unidentified comet.