Not only fireworks mark the beginning of a new year, but also a meteor shower.
This weekend, keep in mind the Quadrantids, which – for those who want to face the cold and fight sleep during the late night – are known to present a fire poster every January.
Read on to see how you can get the most out of them – and start 2021 with a bang.
What are Quadrantids?
The quadrants begin each new year with an amazing celestial display. It is one of the best annual meteor showers, according to NASA. He is known for shooting bright fireballs. Unlike the rapid flash of an average meteor stripe, these heartbreaking balls produce larger bursts of light and color that remain visible for a longer period of time.
The difference between the Quadrantids and most other meteor showers is that the Quadrantids come from the remains of an asteroid, an empty space rock. The particles burn strongly as they disintegrate and burn in the Earth’s atmosphere. Most meteor showers come from the smaller dust of a comet – which in itself is a ball of ice and stone, according to Business Insider.
Every January, our planet meets the path of the asteroid 2003 EH1 and orbits right through its remnants. As the name suggests, the asteroid was discovered in 2003 and measures about 2 miles in diameter. It takes about 5 and a half years to orbit the sun – at a slower speed than it takes Earth to do the same – and it could be a “dead comet” or, according to NASA, a new “stone comet” object. ”Which is discussed by astronomers.
What time does the meteor shower of the Quadrantids appear and when does it reach its peak?
Although the Quadrantids are active between December 28 and January 12, they peak at the beginning of January each year. However, unlike other meteor showers – whose peaks can last two days – Quadrantids have a much narrower peak window of about six hours. The reason: the asteroid leaves only a thin stream of debris behind it, which the planet strikes at a perpendicular angle.
In 2021, the Quadrantids will peak overnight on Saturday until the hours before Sunday morning, January 2 to 3. When conditions are perfect, the peak can display between 60 and 200 meteors per hour. But there is one caveat: the waning crescent moon will be about 84 percent full, according to the International Meteorological Organization – and that means its light could exceed about half the number of meteors.
How can I track Quadrantids?
First of all, this being the beginning of January, pack up before you go out – and take a sleeping bag, a blanket or a reclining chair with you. Then venture as far as possible from any light pollution.
You’ll want to lie on your back – or as close as you can – and look up. It is best to have your feet facing northeast. And the moon being so bright, find a place where you can take it out of sight, in an effort to minimize its brightness.
You will also need to spend a lot of time watching, as your eyes will need 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
When is the next meteor shower in 2021?
Lyrids are still on the calendar of meteor showers, which will remain active between April 14 and April 30. If the quadrants end up being crazy, waiting a few months will probably have its benefits. The lilies will reach their peak between April 21 and 22, when the weather in the northern hemisphere will improve and the moon will be full by about 68%.