The Gist This week the Quadrantids shooting star shower can be seen in the sky. The climax of the show is scheduled for the night of January 3rd to 4th.
A touch of magic to start the year right. From January 1st to 5th, the Quadrantid meteor shower, which is believed to have come from comet Konzik-Peltier, can be seen in the sky. The peak of this astronomical phenomenon will occur on the night of January 3rd to 4th, reports Science & Vie. According to the International Meteor Organization, 200 meteors could pass by per hour for six hours.
The Quadrantids are primarily seen in the Northern Hemisphere. Before midnight, look toward the Bouvier constellation just below the Big Dipper to see some shooting stars. Also note that viewing conditions will not be optimal: the moon is in its final crescent, so its light is likely to detract from the show.
“Find an area far away from the city or streetlights,” advises NASA. Prepare for winter with a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair. Lie on your back with your feet facing northeast and look up to admire as much of the sky as possible. In less than 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adjust and you will begin to see meteors.”
The Quadrantids owe their name to their appearance in the constellation of the wall quadrant, which disappeared in the 18th century as part of a reorganization of the celestial map.
On January 19th, it will be the Minorids γ-Ursae that will light up the sky.