With many New Year celebrations in person and fireworks shows has already been reduced or completely canceled this week, flashy fans events taking place in the night sky may have been disappointed. But not everything is lost. In fact, nature has its own light screens so we can enjoy as we get to 2021. It comes in the form of an annual meteor shower from the Quadrantids, which reaches its peak tonight. Here’s how to do it.
What are Quadrantids?
Technically, the Quadrantid meteor shower began last year (December 28, 2020, to be precise), but they are reaching their peak tonight. And what is so special about these meteors? In addition to being the first of the year, they are also some of the best, according to NASA, thanks to entering quickly (at a rate of 60 to 200 meteors per hour), and because they are bright fireballs that often pass through colored paths.
How to see the Quadrantids to the fullest
Like most astronomical events, capturing Quadrantids at their peak requires some planning. Although many meteor showers have one pic which lasts a day or two, this is over in a few hours; therefore, it is important that you have the right time.
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There is also the challenge of waning gibbous moon, which will be 84% full tonight, which makes it harder to spot the less prominent meteors. (Although the fact that Quadrantids involve glowing fireballs means that some should be visible even with the moon shining).
There is no set schedule for tonight’s peak, though experts estimate it probably will be between 2 a.m. and dawn in the early hours of the morning of January 3rd. Quadrantids will be most visible in the northern hemisphere, specifically in the western United States. To learn more about the Quadrantids, including what’s happening to them this year and how they’ll be affected by tonight’s weather,EarthSky has you covered.