The Quadrantids, the first meteor shower of 2023, is just around the corner — and it could be one of the most spectacular showers of the year.
The Quadrilateral meteor shower is active from December 26 to January 16, but will peak on January 2 and 3. At peak, viewers can expect an average of 80 meteors per hour, streaking through Earth’s atmosphere. NASA (opens in new tab), – although the shower can produce up to 200 per hour. Most notably, the Quadrantids are known for producing dramatic fireball meteors, which are longer and brighter than normal meteors because they are produced from larger pieces of debris.
The Quadrantids are the debris trail of an asteroid named 2003 EH1, discovered in 2003 by the Lowell Observatory Near-Earth-Object Search (LONEOS). The asteroid is about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) across and may be the remains of one. Extinct comets, according to a study published in 2004 The Astronomical Journal (opens in new tab),
Our sister site Space.com has a complete guide on how to watch the Quadrantid meteor shower. If you’re hoping to photograph the Quadrantids, don’t miss our guides on photographing meteor showers, as well as the best cameras for astrophotography and the best lenses for astrophotography.
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According to NASA, asteroid 2003 EH1 orbits the Sun every 5.52 years. Earth passes through its debris trail at a perpendicular angle, meaning that the peak period for the shower of dust and small rock fragments is brief.
To best see this small-but-spectacular show, find a spot away from light pollution on the night of January 2 or January 3 and lie flat to see as much of the sky as possible. (Bring a sleeping bag or warm blanket to protect against the cold.) According to NASA, the best viewing angle is to lie down with your feet facing northeast. Allow your eyes 30 minutes to adjust to catching even the lightest meteors.
According to NASA, the shower can be seen from any latitude north of 51 degrees south, but the best views will be in the Northern Hemisphere. The meteors will be visible across the sky but tend to originate between the constellations of Bootes and Draco, not far from the handle of the Big Dipper.
The shower derives its name from a constellation named Quadrans Muralis, which was named by the French astronomer Jérôme Lalande in 1795, but is not recognized in the list of modern constellations maintained by the International Astronomical Union. (If you want to try to find Quadrans Fife when adjusting your eyes, look at the space between the boots, Draco, and the handle of the Big Dipper. It’s a triangular shape that resembles a quadrant, a navigational tool called Used to measure angles.)
The next major meteor shower after the Quadrantids will be the Lyrids, which will be active from April 15 to April 29 in 2023, peaking on April 22 and 23.
originally published on LiveScience.com (opens in new tab),