Meteor showers will light up the night sky on New Year's weekend
- by Jake Bell
- in Research
- — Jan 2, 2021
This shower is considered one of the best opportunities for young viewers, since this shower starts around 9 or 10 p.m.
According to NASA, the Quadrant She returns every year between December 28 and January 12.
The Quadrantids are thought to be associated with asteroid 2003 EH1, which is likely an extinct comet, Cooke has told Space.com.
Their radiant-the point in the sky from which the Quadrantids appear to come from - is an obsolete constellation called "Quadrans Muralis".
Then follow the "arc" of the Big Dipper's handle across the sky to the red giant star Arcturus - this anchored below the constellation Bootes, where a meteor shower will appear.
More news: Two teens accused in death of Calgary cop turn selves inThe first weekend of 2021 brings with it the first meteor shower of the year.
The first major meteor shower of 2021 is set to peak this weekend, from late Saturday until the dark, pre-dawn hours of Sunday. Fireballs are larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak.
It's also notoriously hard to observe due to January's difficult weather and the short peak - just about six hours.
Between 50 and 100 meteors are typically visible per hour, especially in rural areas. "So only the brightest, brightest of the meteors will sort of punch through that bright moon".
The quad is best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere, but bad weather conditions in early January make viewing even more hard. The moon has been full this past week and it's still shining fairly bright.
More news: Alberta premier issues trip order after learning of vacationing officialsThe Quadrantids meteor shower will peak overnight January 2.
Like all meteor showers, you will need to move away from all splendid city lights for best review, lying level on your back and giving your eyes around 30 minutes to conform to the dark.
"Be patient - the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse", NASA said.
After the Quadrantids, another meteor shower will not happen for more than three months, when the Lyrids and Eta Aquariids return at the end of April.
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