The Quadrantids meteor shower typically has a much shorter peak timeframe compared to other meteor showers, as noted by NASA. While most meteor showers have a two-day peak, the Quadrantids only peak for a few hours due to the thin stream of particles in the shower and the perpendicular angle at which Earth crosses the stream. This means that Earth passes through the densest part of the stream quickly, according to the AMS.
Unlike most meteor showers that originate from comets, the Quadrantids come from asteroid 2003 EH1. This asteroid takes approximately 5.52 years to orbit the Sun and is believed to be a “dead comet” or “rock comet” – a rare celestial body that exhibits features of both an asteroid and a comet. Discovered in March 2003, the small asteroid has a diameter of around two miles. The first Quadrantid meteors were observed in 1825.
Considered one of the “best” annual meteor showers by astronomers, the Quadrantids peak every early January, producing anywhere from 60 to 200 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. Known for their bright fireballs, the Quadrantids originate from larger particles, resulting in more significant explosions of light and color compared to average meteor streaks.
To view the Quadrantids, observers are recommended to position themselves in the Northern Hemisphere during the predawn hours. The radiant point for Quadrantids is an old constellation called “Quadrans Muralis” situated between Bootes and Draco. Best viewing is during the time between midnight and dawn, with a waning crescent moon providing dark skies for optimal viewing conditions, weather permitting.
Viewers can lie on their back facing northeast to observe meteors shooting out in all directions. Peak activity is expected between 15:00 and 18:00 Universal Time, with optimal viewing conditions in the Pacific region. It is advised to allow eyes to adjust to the dark for at least 30 minutes and to continue observing for an hour for the best experience, as meteor activity will have peaks and lulls throughout the night.
The article “How to watch peak tonight” was originally published on abcnews.go.com.
