The new year is set to begin with a celestial spectacle as the Quadrantid meteor shower is poised to reach its peak early on Friday. Known for their potential to produce up to 200 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, the Quadrantids are expected to offer astronomy enthusiasts a chance to witness 20-30 meteors per hour in clear, dark skies during the peak, as reported by NASA. With the moon in its crescent phase and setting early in the night, experts at the space agency suggest that viewing conditions for the meteor shower will be optimal.
The best time to catch a glimpse of the Quadrantids will be in the early morning hours on Friday, according to NASA. Although meteor showers can last for several days, the rate of meteors per hour is anticipated to be highest during the peak, especially as dawn approaches. The Quadrantids are projected to remain active until January 16, as noted by the American Meteor Society.
For optimal viewing, NASA recommends finding a location far away from city and street lights to avoid light pollution. The Quadrantids are most visible from the Northern Hemisphere, with observers in the Northwest and Pacific regions expected to have the best opportunities for viewing this year.
To fully experience the celestial display, viewers are advised to position themselves flat on their backs with their feet pointing northeast and gaze upwards. It is recommended to allow approximately 30 minutes for the eyes to adjust to the darkness. Additionally, viewers should come prepared with a blanket or sleeping bag to stay warm in the chilly January weather.
Meteor showers are a result of space rocks entering Earth’s atmosphere, producing streaks of light across the sky. When Earth encounters multiple meteors simultaneously, it is referred to as a meteor shower. As these meteors pass through the atmosphere, they heat up, creating the appearance of shooting stars.
While most meteor showers originate from comets, the Quadrantids are unique in that they come from asteroid 2003 EH1, a small asteroid discovered on March 6, 2003. The Quadrantids are distinguished for their bright fireball meteors, characterized by 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 used in the recent tragic incident in New Orleans was seen flying a large black flag from its rear bumper. The suspect involved in the deadly attack has since been identified, and sources have confirmed that the individual who drove the truck into a crowd in New Orleans is deceased.
