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Meteor shower with up to ‘120 shooting stars per hour’ will be visible in North America this week�
In a celestial spectacle to usher in the new year, the Quadrantids meteor shower is set to illuminate the night skies over North America this week. With up to 120 shooting stars per hour, the Quadrantids mark the year’s inaugural meteor shower, promising an awe-inspiring display for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts alike.
When to witness the Quadrantids meteor shower at its peak
The Quadrantids meteor shower commenced on December 28, 2023, and will continue its cosmic display until January 12, 2024.
The much-anticipated peak of the meteor shower is expected to arrive on the evening of January 3-4, with the highest concentration of shooting stars forecasted at approximately 7:53 AM EST (12:53 GMT) on January 4.
For optimal stargazing, experts recommend keeping an eye on the night sky between 4:53 AM EST and dawn.
This extended timeframe not only provides ample opportunity to marvel at the celestial performance but also reduces the chance of cloud cover obstructing the view if you risk catching only the final act.
A glimpse into the meteor shower’s intensity
During the peak hours, around 120 shooting stars are expected to streak across the heavens, making the Quadrantids meteor shower one of the most significant astronomical events of 2024.
These meteors will be hurtling through space at an impressive speed of approximately 41 kilometers per second (25 miles per second), allowing only fleeting glimpses at a time.
A special highlight awaits sky gazers, as there’s a chance to witness a ‘fireball’ produced by one of the larger meteoroid fragments.
Dr. Darren Baskill from the University of Sussex explained that the Earth will pass through a thin stream of dust during this meteor shower, resulting in faint meteors visible as often as every minute during the peak hours.
“It is not known for sure which comet is the source of this brief shower, which only lasts for a few hours. But during this time, faint meteors will be seen as often as every minute during the peak, under clear, dark skies, well away from the light pollution of our towns and cities.”
Viewing and photography tips for the stunning meteor shower
For the best chance of seeing the stunning meteor shower on January 3-4, youll want to head to a wide-open space thats as far away from light sources like skyrises, streetlights, and towns as possible.
Thanks to the scale and speed of the Quadrantids meteor shower in the Northern Hemisphere, you dont need any special equipment to watch the show although you might want to spend up to 20 minutes to allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness.
For photographers turning their cameras towards the night sky, astrophysicist Pete Lawrence has some helpful tips:
- Use a tripod and point the camera about 2/3s of the way into the sky
- Make sure theres nothing in the foreground of the image
- Set your camera to the highest sensitivity, opening the shutter fully
- Take exposures of 30 seconds in length, or as prolonged as you can
Good luck if you are either staying up late or waking up early for the meteor shower, and if you are hoping to snap yourself a prize-winning picture of the cosmic event.
