It is not only fireworks that mark the beginning of a new year, but also a meteor shower.
Keep an eye out for the Quadrantids this weekend, known for delivering a fiery display – for those willing to brave the cold and sleep late at night.
Read on to see how you can make the most of it – and start 2021 with an explosion.
What are the quadranties?
The Quadrantids begin each new year with a beautiful heavenly display. According to NASA, it is one of the best annual meteor showers. It is known for shooting bright fireballs. In contrast to the fast flash of an average meteor stripe, these boiling fireballs produce larger bursts of light and color that are longer visible.
The difference between the quadrantids and most other meteoric moods lies in the fact that the quadrantids come from the debris of an asteroid, a bare space rock. The particles burn brightly as they disintegrate and burn in the earth’s atmosphere. According to Business Insider, most meteor showers come from the smaller dust of a comet – which is itself a ball of ice and rock.
Every January, our planet meets the path of the asteroid 2003 EH1 and orbits its ruins. As the name suggests, the asteroid was discovered in 2003 and measures about 3 km in diameter. It takes about 5½ years to orbit the sun – a slower speed than it takes the earth to do the same – and could be a ‘dead comet’, or according to NASA a new ‘rock-comet’ object that discussed by astronomers.
What time does the meteor shower of Quadrantids take place, and when does it reach a peak?
Although the quadrants are active between December 28 and January 12, they peak each year in early January. Unlike other meteoric showers – whose peaks can last two days – the Quadrantids have a much narrower peak window of about six hours. The reason: the asteroid leaves in its wake only a thin stream of debris, which hits the planet at a perpendicular angle.
In 2021, the quadrant time will peak overnight until the morning hours of Sunday, January 2 to January 3. If there are perfect conditions, the peak can display between 60 and 200 meteors per hour. But there is one big caveat: the declining moon will be about 84 percent full, according to the International Meteorological Organization – and that means its light could exceed about half that of meteors.
How can I view the Quadrantids?
First of all, since it’s early January, you should pack it before you leave – and take a sleeping bag, blanket or armchair with you. Then go as far away from any light pollution as you can.
You want to lie flat on your back – or as close as possible – and look up. It is best that your feet look to the northeast. And while the moon is so bright, look for a place where you can put it out of sight in an effort to reduce the glare.
You also need to set aside a large amount of time for viewing, as your eyes need 30 minutes to adjust to the dark.
When is the next meteor shower in 2021?
The Lyrids are next on the meteorite calendar, which will remain active between April 14 and April 30. If the Quadrantids eventually become a dud, it might be beneficial to wait a few months. The Lyrids will peak between April 21 and 22, when the weather in the northern hemisphere will improve and the moon will be about 68 percent full.