Between once in a lifetime comet and the epic the meeting of Jupiter and Saturn for the great conjunction, 2020 was an important year for celestial phenomena. But 2021 begins strong with the peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower, which NASA calls one of the “best annual meteor showers” this weekend, from Saturday, January 2, to Sunday, January 3.
What are Quadrantids?
According to NASA, Cadrantide they return each year between December 28 and January 12. First seen in 1825, they come from the small asteroid 1003 EH1, which was discovered by the Search for Near-Earth Objects at the Lowell Observatory in March 2003.
Meteors appear to radiate from a constellation called “Quadrans Muralis”, which no longer exists. However, that constellation is not the real source of meteors.
“An alternative name for Quadrantids is Bootids, because meteors appear to radiate from the modern constellation Bootes,” says NASA. “Even though the constellation can no longer be recognized, it was considered a constellation long enough to name meteor showers.”
The quadrants mark the last meteor shower of the season, before a few months with little celestial activity at the beginning of the new year. According to the American Meteorological Society, it has the potential to be one of the strongest showers of the year, along with Perseids and Geminids.
In the short window from Saturday night to Sunday morning, there is a chance to observe between 60 and 200 meteors per hour traveling at 25.5 miles per second. Quadrantids are known for bright meteorites with fireballs, which are larger bursts of color and light that last longer than the average meteor stripe.
Despite the potential of the shower, it will be short: the maximum activity window is only six hours.
“The reason the tip is so short is because of the thin flow of particles in the shower and the fact that the Earth crosses the stream at a perpendicular angle,” says NASA.
Daniel López / NASA APOD
How to track Quadrantid meteor showers
The northern hemisphere is the best place to view Quadrantidae, but bad weather in early January makes viewing difficult. Even though the sky is clear of clouds, a gibbo moon in full decline continues to shine brightly throughout the weekend, making it difficult to observe meteors.
Unlike many other popular meteor showers, which peak during several nights, synchronization of Quadrantid viewing is essential for meteor detection. According to the International Meteorological Organization, the peak is expected to take place at around 14:30 UTC on Sunday – which means that the best chance to view the shower in North America will be on Sunday morning.
Like all meteor showers, you will want to get away from the bright lights of the city for the best viewing conditions, lying on your back and giving your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Get dressed for the winter weather and be patient – the show will last until dawn.
After Quadrantide, another meteor shower will not appear for more than three months, when Lyrids and Eta Aquariids will return in April.