Between once in a lifetime comet and the poem meeting of Jupiter and Saturn for the big onion, 2020 was a big year for celestial onions. But 2021 has a strong start with the peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower, which NASA calls one of the “best annual meteor showers,” from Jan. 2 to Jan. 3.
What are the Quadrantids?
According to NASA, the Quadrantids returns annually from December 28 to January 12. First seen in 1825, they originate from the small asteroid 1003 EH1, discovered in March 2003 by a Near-Earth Object Study at the Lowell Observatory.
The meteors appear to radiate from a non-existent constellation, known as the “Quadrans Muralis,” but constellation is not the true source of the meteors.
“Another name for the Quadrantids is the Bootids because the meteors seem to radiate from the modern Bootes constellation,” NASA says. “Even though the constellation is no longer recognized, it was thought to be a constellation long enough to name the meteor shower.”
The Quadrantids mark the last meteor shower of the season, ahead of several months with very little celestial activity. According to the Meteor Association of America, it has the potential to be the strongest shower of the year, along with the Perseids and Geminids.
Through the short window from Saturday night to Sunday morning, there is a chance to see between 60 to 200 meteors per hour traveling at 25.5 miles per second. Quadrantids are known for bright fireball meteors, which are larger explosions of light and color that last longer than the typical meteor climb.
Despite the shower’s capabilities, it will be short: the maximum activity window is only six hours.
“The reason the peak is so short is due to the thin flow of the shower grains and the fact that the Earth crosses the stream at a right angle,” NASA says.
Daniel López / NASA APOD
How to watch a Quadrantid shower
It’s best to watch the Quadrantids from the Northern Hemisphere, but bad weather in early January also makes it harder to watch. Even if the skies are clear of clouds, a full moon will keep almost full brightness throughout the weekend, making meteor spots difficult.
Unlike many other popular meteor shows, which span several nights, it’s crucial to see the Quadrantids. According to Meteor International Group, the peak is expected to occur around 14:30 UTC on Sunday – meaning the best chance to see the shower in North America in the hours last Sunday morning.
As with all meteor displays, you will want to get away from the bright city lights for the best view, lying flat on your back and taking about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. . Clothes for winter weather and be patient – the show lasts until morning.
After the Quadrantids, another meteor shower will not occur for more than three months, when the Lyrids and Eta Aquariids return in late April.