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It’s not just fireworks that mark the start of a new year, but also a meteor shower.
This weekend, keep an eye out for the Quadrantids, which – for those willing to brave the cold and struggle with sleep during the late-night hours – are known to make a fiery display every January.
Read on to see how you can make the most of it – and start 2021 on a high note.
What are the quadrantids?
The Quadrantids begin every New Year with a stunning celestial display. It’s one of the best annual meteor showers, according to NASA. He is known to shoot bright fireballs. Unlike the rapid flash of an average meteor series, these sizzling fireballs produce larger bursts of light and color that stay visible for longer.
The difference between the quadrantids and most other meteor showers is that the quadrantids originate from the debris of an asteroid, a bare space rock. The particles burn brilliantly as they decay and burn in the Earth’s atmosphere. Most meteor showers come from the smallest dust of a comet – which itself is a ball of ice and rock, according to Business Insider.
Each January, our planet encounters the path of asteroid 2003 EH1 and orbit through its debris. As the name suggests, the asteroid was discovered in 2003 and is approximately 2 miles in diameter. It takes about 5½ years to orbit the sun – a speed slower than Earth to do the same – and may be a “dead comet” or, according to NASA, a new “rock comet” object that astronomers discuss.
What time does the Quadrantids meteor shower occur and when does it 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 for two days – the Quadrantids have a much narrower peak window of around six hours. The reason: the asteroid leaves only a thin stream of debris in its wake, which the planet hits at a perpendicular angle.
In 2021, the quadrantids will peak during the night of Saturday until the hours before dawn of Sunday, from January 2-3. When conditions are perfect, the peak can display between 60 and 200 meteors per hour. But there’s a big caveat: The waning gibbous moon will be about 84% full, according to the International Meteor Organization – and that means its light could surpass about half of the meteors.
How can I watch the Quadrantids?
First, in early January, bundle up before you go – and take a sleeping bag, blanket, or reclining chair with you. Then, venture as far away from any light pollution as possible.
You’ll want to lie flat on your back – or as close as possible – and look up. It is better to have your feet facing northeast. And with the moon being so bright, find a place where you can put it out of sight to minimize its glow.
You will also need to set aside a large portion of the time for viewing, as it will take 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness.
When will the next meteor shower take place in 2021?
The Lyrids are next on the meteor shower calendar, which will remain active between April 14 and April 30. If the Quadrantids end up failing, perhaps waiting several months will have its benefits. The Lyrids are expected to peak between April 21 and 22, when the weather in the northern hemisphere improves and the moon is about 68% full.
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