The Quadrantida meteor shower peaks on Tuesday evening, though cloud cover over much of the UK will make visibility difficult.
Quadrantids are one of the strongest and most stable annual showers, with up to 110 meteors per hour on a clear night.
They appear to be coming from the constellation Bootes near Ursa Major. In 2004, astronomer Peter Jenniskens concluded that the parent body of the Quadrantids could be the minor planet 2003 EH1.
Soul takes its name from the former constellation Quadrans Muralis, which now belongs to Bootes.
Meteors are fragments of debris that enter the Earth’s atmosphere at speeds up to 70 kilometers per second and evaporate, turning into streaks of light.
At this time, the Quadrantids are at their peak, and it is recommended to observe them from the UK.
When is the Quadrantids meteor shower?
The Quadrantida meteor shower began on Wednesday, December 28th and will end on Thursday, January 12th.
However, this storm has a very short peak – just a few hours compared to about two days for many others.
Top of the Quadrantides Tuesday, January 3 at about 3 am.
How can I see the Quadrantida meteor shower?
Quadrantids will look like blue meteors with thin features. Although they seem to come from Bootes, they can be seen all over the sky.
You don’t need binoculars or a telescope to see them, but you do need to adjust your eyes to the dark.
The Royal Museums in Greenwich advise: “Meteor hunting, like all other astronomy, is a game of waiting, so it’s best to bring a comfortable chair with you to sit down and dress warmly, as you may be away for a while.
“For the best conditions, you need to find a safe location away from street lights and other sources of light pollution. Meteors are visible in all parts of the sky, so it’s good to be in a wide open area where you can scan the night sky with your eyes.
“In 2023, the maximum rainfall will be just before the full moon, so the moonlight will cause some disruption.”
Source: I News
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