The meteor shower will light the sky with "shiny fireballs" next week - how to see it

The impressive quadrantides will present a show when they reach their peak.


The night sky is special because it presents a unique opportunity to enjoy large quantities of natural beauty of almost wherever you are. All of shiny planets To pass comets, can make a show for all of us here on Earth. But if you want to start 2024 with a memorable view, you may want to erase your evening calendar in the coming days. This is because a meteor shower will light up the sky next week with "shiny fireballs". Read the rest to find out more about how you can attend this impressive event.

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The shower in Météores Quadrantid will launch the new year with a dazzling show.

Meteors streaking through the sky during a meteor shower
M-Gucci / Istock

You will not have to wait a long time in the new year for a major celestial view. The quadrantide meteor shower is in progress and will be show In the night sky in the coming weeks, according to NASA.

Similar to the other meteor showers, the quadtrantides are created by the earth passing through a field of cosmic debris. But unlike many other major annual showers born from the dusty remains of the comet tail, these result from an asteroid passing known as EH1 2003, which orbit the sun once every five and a half years. The small object was only discovered recently in 2003 and measures only about two miles in diameter, by NASA.

Like the Ursids, the Gémonids and the Perseids, the Quadrantids also take their name from their radiant point, which in this case is a constellation known as "muralis quadrans". However, unlike other major showers, the namesake of this event is no longer recognized as a celestial body after an update of modern constellations recognized in 1922 has removed the designation. For this reason, the quadrantids are sometimes also known as boottids, thanks to the constellation of shoes that has taken its place.

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The very active shower is considered by astronomers as one of the best of the year.

A Quadrantid meteor shooting through the sky
Ben Pong / Shutterstock

Part of the strong esteem of quadtrantides among astronomers lies in the fact that they tend to start the year with a blow. The event is considered by many to be "one of the best showers of annual meteors", producing 60 to 200 meteors per hour during its peak, according to NASA.

They also tend to be more impressive. Since the particles that create them are a little larger, quadrantides tend to produce "bright fireballs that can persist in the sky much longer than a meteor of medium stage.

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The quadrantids will arrive late at night next week.

A wide shot of the night sky with dozens of meteors streaking
BJDLZX / ISTOCK

If you plan to catch the show for yourself, prepare to book a little next week for the stars. The quadrantides are settled on During the night of January 3 in the morning of January 4, according to the American Meteor Society (AMS). AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

But while the meteors have acquired the reputation of their brilliance, it is not exactly the most practical shower to catch in terms of sleeping. Viewers should expect the greatest activity to occur early in the morning of January 4 between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. by AMS. However, it is preferable not to put it back: although the meteors are always visible until January 16, the window of the peak is notably brief due to the trajectory of the earth through the debris path of the asteroid, According to NASA.

Even if clear time is always ideal for visualization, it is not the only condition that could affect this year's experience. A half full moon will also increase the night of the quadrantid peak, which could make more difficult to see some of the brilliant objects as they light the sky.

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Here are some other tips to get the most out of your Stargazing experience.

The trail of meteors during a meteor shower in the night sky
Istock / Skarie20

Getting a good view of the quadtrantides should not be too difficult for people in the northern hemisphere. But for the best chances of seeing as much as possible, find a location far from the city and the reverbs that could drown meteors, suggests NASA.

If you are worried about the moon drowning your point of view, there is still a way to protect your eyes from dazzling. According to AMS, finding a place with a tree or a building that blocks it and looking north can help.

And although it is always important to prepare for the elements while suffocating, the freezing winter time makes planning appropriate all the more critical. Warmly dress and bring a back or a blanket that will allow you to remain grilled while tilting on your back to take as much sky as possible, suggests NASA. You should also give yourself up to 30 minutes so that your eyes adapt to darkness.

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Categories: Smarter Living
Tags: News / Science
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