The new year is set to kick off with the eagerly anticipated Quadrantid meteor shower, which is expected to reach its peak early on Friday. According to NASA, the Quadrantids have the potential to produce up to 200 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. However, for most astronomy enthusiasts, the average catch during the peak is estimated to be around 20-30 meteors per hour under clear, dark skies. The upcoming shower coincides with a favorable lunar phase, as the moon will be in a “mere crescent” state and will set early in the night, creating optimal conditions for meteor viewing, as noted by the space agency.
The best time to witness the Quadrantids in full splendor is predicted to be the early morning hours on Friday, as highlighted by NASA. While meteor showers typically extend over several days, the peak period is when the hourly rate of meteors is expected to be at its highest, particularly as dawn approaches. The Quadrantids are projected to remain active until January 16, according to the American Meteor Society.
For optimal viewing, NASA recommends selecting locations far removed from the glare of city and street lights. The Quadrantids are most visible from the Northern Hemisphere, with observers in the Northwest and Pacific regions likely to have superior viewing opportunities this year. To fully appreciate the celestial spectacle, viewers are advised to lie flat on their backs with their feet pointing northeast and gaze upwards. It may take approximately 30 minutes for the eyes to adjust to the darkness, so patience is key. Additionally, spectators are encouraged to bring along a blanket or sleeping bag to combat the chilly January weather.
Meteor showers, such as the Quadrantids, are the result of space rocks entering Earth’s atmosphere, creating mesmerizing streaks across the sky. When Earth intersects with a cluster of meteors, it leads to the phenomenon known as a meteor shower. These meteors heat up as they traverse the atmosphere, resembling shooting stars to observers on the ground. While most meteor showers originate from comets, the Quadrantids have a unique source in asteroid 2003 EH1, a relatively small asteroid discovered on March 6, 2003.
Distinctive for their bright fireball meteors, the Quadrantids exhibit larger explosions of light and color that can endure longer than the average meteor streak, according to NASA.
In other news, authorities have reported that the truck involved in the tragic New Orleans attack was identified as flying a large black flag from its rear bumper. The suspect responsible for the deadly incident has been named, with sources confirming that the individual who drove the truck into a crowd in New Orleans has since been pronounced deceased.
