WASHINGTON (AP) — The Quadrantid meteor shower is set to peak on Friday, offering stargazers the year’s first opportunity to witness fireballs lighting up the night sky. With a waning crescent moon, conditions are expected to be ideal for good visibility under clear and dark skies.
Most meteor showers derive their names from the constellations they appear to originate from in the night sky. However, the Quadrantids are unique as they are named after a constellation that no longer exists, explained NASA’s William Cooke.
While these meteors typically do not leave long trails, their heads often manifest as bright fireballs. NASA anticipates that the peak of the Quadrantids could unveil up to 120 meteors per hour.
The viewing window for the Quadrantids extends until January 16, providing ample time for enthusiasts to catch a glimpse of this celestial display. Here’s what you need to know about the Quadrantids and other meteor showers:
What is a meteor shower?
As Earth completes its orbit around the sun, it occasionally traverses debris left behind by passing comets and asteroids. The source of the Quadrantids meteor shower is remnants from the asteroid 2003 EH1.
When these swiftly moving space rocks enter Earth’s atmosphere, they encounter resistance from the air, heating up and ultimately disintegrating. Sometimes, the surrounding air briefly illuminates, leaving behind a glowing tail — the hallmark of a shooting star.
No specialized equipment is necessary to observe the various meteor showers that grace the skies annually; a location away from the glare of city lights will suffice.
How to view a meteor shower
The optimal time to witness a meteor shower is during the early predawn hours when the moon sits low in the sky. External sources of light, like a bright moon or artificial illumination, can hinder the visibility of meteors. Therefore, cloudless nights with a minimal moon phase present the best opportunity for observing these celestial phenomena.
Remember to direct your gaze upwards rather than downwards. By avoiding distractions such as phones, your eyes will adjust better to spotting shooting stars. The Quadrantids are expected to peak during a night when the moon is only 11% full.
