Astronomy enthusiasts in the northern hemisphere are being treated to the first meteor shower of 2024, with the Quadrantid meteor shower set to see maximum activity tonight.
The annual event, considered by astronomers to be the most intense meteor shower for skywatchers to watch, occurs when the Earth passes through the debris trail of the asteroid 2003 EH1, which was confirmed as the ‘parent’ source of the material almost 20 years ago.
While the Quadrantids will come into view after sunrise for most of the southern hemisphere, regions near or north of the equator will be able to witness the event during night hours.
It will peak on the night of January 3-4. Maximum meteor activity is expected shortly before 1:00 am UTC, but good viewing will be dependent on light pollution, the position of the Moon relative to the Quadrantid radiant, and cloud cover.
Assuming a clear, dark sky, watchers can expect to see 60-200 meteors each hour during the peak.
But if conditions aren’t suitable for viewing during the peak period, fret not. Earth will still be passing through the debris field for a few more days, with Quadrantid activity due to end on 16 January.
Quadrantids or Bootids?
The Quadrantids are named after Quadrans Muralis, which was described as a constellation in 1795 by French astronomer Jerome Lalande, but scrapped by the International Astronomical Union in 1922.
The Quadrantids appear near the constellation Boötes, as opposed to their defunct namesake, meaning they’re sometimes referred to as the “Bootids”.
Boötes can be spotted in the northern celestial hemisphere (which means it appears towards the north from an observer’s position).
2003 EH1 is a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) roughly 2 km in diameter that orbits the sun every 5.5 years. Despite being an NEA, it poses no threat to our planet.
This is because 2003 EH1 never intersects with Earth’s orbit. Instead, it orbits perpendicular to Earth’s pathway around the Sun, coming closest (its perihelion) between Earth and Mars before beginning its long journey out towards Jupiter.
The Quadrantids are a fireball shower – here’s how best to see them
The Quadrantids are considered one of the best showers to spot thanks to their blaze of ‘fireball’ meteors, owing to the larger fragments of rock that burn up at speeds of 41 km/s as they enter Earth’s atmosphere.
While people south of the equator will find it hard to spot the Quadrantid peak, the Earth will pass through plenty of other meteor debris fields this year. Including:
- April 16-25: Lyrids meteor shower
- April 15-May 27: Eta Aquarid meteor shower
- August 11-13: Perseid meteor shower
- Sep 26-Nov 22: Orionid meteor shower
Given the winter weather, NASA recommends plenty of warm clothing, finding a dark spot away from city lights and allowing at least 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the night sky, and patience to see these meteors streak across the backdrop of space.
