Whereas fireworks are a standard option to welcome the brand new yr, a pure phenomenon can be lighting up the sky this weekend because the annual Quadrantid meteor bathe reaches its peak.
Taking its identify from a now out of date constellation often known as Quadrans Muralis, the occasion is finest considered within the northern hemisphere, with the meteors showing to radiate from the constellation Boötes, which is discovered close to the gathering of stars usually dubbed the Plough or the Huge Dipper.
Not like many meteor showers that peak over various days, the Quadrantids peak for just some hours. In keeping with Nasa, 60 to as many as 200 meteors could be seen per hour underneath good circumstances.
“The very best time to view them is from late evening on 3 January to daybreak on 4 January ,” mentioned Dr Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King’s School London.
Meteor showers are identified to come up because the Earth passes via mud left by celestial our bodies corresponding to comets.
Nonetheless, it was solely in 2003 that the identification of the thing behind the Quadrantids was found, when Dr Peter Jenniskens, an astronomer and analysis scientist on the Nasa Ames Analysis Middle and the Seti Institute, revealed the supply of the meteor bathe to be the near-Earth asteroid 2003 EH1.
These hoping to catch a glimpse of the present ought to wrap up heat and head out right into a darkish space away from streetlights. After adjusting to the low gentle, settle in and scan the sky together with your eyes.
Balaji mentioned the waning crescent moon is predicted to offer comparatively good viewing circumstances, including that the bathe might be vibrant.
“The Quadrantids are identified for his or her brilliant fireball meteors, which may seem blue,” Balaji mentioned. “This blue color is as a result of excessive velocity of the meteors and the presence of sure parts like magnesium and iron within the meteoroids, which emit blue gentle after they deplete within the Earth’s ambiance.”
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