Forget the smoke and noise of the fireworks this New Year’s Eve. Instead, get ready to welcome 2024 by witnessing the stunning cosmic light show, the Quadrantid Meteor showers in January! The Quadrantids Meteor occurs annually and is also one of the famous meteor showers, is popularly known for producing bright, fast-moving meteors. So brace yourself this January and let’s know something more about this celestial firework.
What is the Quadrantid Meteor Shower?
As we know, the majority of meteor showers, such as the Perseids from Perseus or the Geminids from Gemini, derive their names from the constellations from where they appear to radiate. However, a twist to this naming game though comes from the Quadrantids meteor shower. Let us see how. “Quadrantids” comes from the constellation that no longer exists on our star maps Quadrans Muralis (the ghost constellation) which is now absorbed and is now a part of bigger constellations “the Boötes”.
What makes it Unique?
Meteor showers typically occur when the comets approach the sun, it warm up and release the gas and dust which then enter the earth’s atmosphere and burn up but Quadrantids tell a different story. Quadrantid meteor showers are produced because of the Asteroid 2003 EH1!! You heard it right, an Asteroid. Asteroid 2003 EH1 is believed to be a dormant or an extinct comet, and it nearly takes 5.5 years to orbit the sun trailing behind the dusty debris.
Each year in early January, Earth crosses through these trails, forcing the dust particles to hit our atmosphere with a great velocity of nearly 45 km/s. The particles burn brilliantly and produce the beautiful streaks of light known as Quadrantids meteors when they are heated by the friction from these impacts. So captivating!!
When and how to view the Quadrantid Meteor Shower?
As December’s festive light fades and January stretches out in front of us, the Quadrantid meteor shower takes place in the night sky, providing a sight unlike anything seen on New Year’s Eve. This year’s short but brilliant shower will be active from January 1st to 5th and will peak around 3:00 am on January 3rd and 4th with an above-average shower of 40 meteors per hour with nearly the velocity of 45 km/s painting the darkness with streaks of fiery light in the night sky. Isn’t it so mesmerizing?
To observe this breathtaking Quadrantids Meteor shower, you have to set your eyes towards the shower’s radiant point, near to the constellation Boötes which was originally known as Quadrans Muralis, recognizable by its bright star Arcturus rising in the Northern hemisphere. Unfortunately, the waning gibbous moon may block the fainter meteor showers but don’t get disheartened, you will definitely see the brighter meteor streaks during its peak across the sky. It will nearly take 20 min for your eyes to adapt to the darkness and to see the astonishing beauty of the night sky.
The easiest way to find it is to look north for the Big Dipper. Then, follow the “arc” of the Big Dipper’s handle across the sky to the red giant star Arcturus, which anchors the bottom of Bootes.
So get ready to kick start your new year by getting away from your monotonous days, lie your backs down, and spend some time under the starry night. And for all the star-gazers, if you are in Mumbai, Maharashtra you shouldn’t miss this exciting opportunity to witness the exceptional Quadrantids Meteor shower on the night of 6th of January 2024, and Star Party at Dehene with Stargazing Mumbai.
So mark your calendars this January 2024, to experience this breathtaking meteor shower. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned stargazer do not miss this exciting opportunity!
