This weekend, the first meteor shower of the year will occur, and skywatchers will not want to miss this celestial light display.
The Quadrantid meteor shower is now active, but it will reach its peak on the evenings of January 2 and 3. According to the American Meteor Society (AMS), asteroid 2003 EH1 caused Quadrantids, unlike most other meteor showers caused by comets. This item is especially perplexing since this celestial object is thought to be either a "dead comet" or a new kind of object known as a "rock comet."
Skywatchers would not want to miss the sky event, regardless of its parent object.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Stars illuminate the sky outside the window of a home on a clear night in Forest Hill on April 20, 2020, in London, England. The clear skies created by the New Moon coincide with the Lyrid meteor shower, an annual display caused by the Earth passing through a cloud of debris from a comet called C/186 Thatcher.
Quadrantids: First Meteor Shower of 2022
According to NASA, the Quadrantids are not only the first meteor shower of the year, but they are also one of the greatest yearly meteor showers. However, because its peak is significantly shorter than other meteor showers, it is a little more difficult to spot. Unlike most meteor showers that have two-day maxima, the Quadrantids only last a few hours, so obtaining a glimpse of them is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Furthermore, even though the Quadrantids aren't renowned for having long-lasting trains, this meteor shower is recognized for producing spectacular fireballs that "last longer than a typical meteor streak," according to NASA. Skywatchers may enjoy spectacular views of the sky for the event because it will peak on an evening when the moon will be 0% full.
The Lyrids, the next meteor shower following the Quadrantids, will occur in April. So skygazers should take advantage of this opportunity to see a celestial light display before the months-long "meteor drought."
How to Watch Quadrantids
According to NASA, the Quadrantids are best seen from the Northern Hemisphere. Since always, select a location far away from city lights, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring blankets, chairs, and patience, as watching may take many hours.
Because the Quadrantids are such a short-lived show, capturing them while they are active is the most challenging part of detecting them, Space.com said. Quadrantids often spend roughly 12 hours climbing from quarter-strength to peak activity. A subsequent fall takes as little as 4 hours. Skywatchers in different parts of the world have reported spotting the Quadrantids in significantly varied quantities. Stargazers may still see up to 15 to 30 meteors every hour.
EarthSky said seeing the Quadrantids after midnight is optimal. At the same time, the American Astronomical Society suggests facing the northeast quadrant and centering one's view half-way up in the sky. It will be simpler to distinguish which meteors are Quadrantids and which are "random meteors" if the meteors come from the radiant "in all directions."
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