New Year Meteor Shower Brightens the Skies This Weekend! How to Watch

This weekend avid skywatchers will be treated to the Quadrantid meteor shower although it is a bit tricky to watch this celestial treat. But, for the die-hard fans, the effort is worth the trouble, particularly with the mysterious “disappeared constellation”. Unlike many other meteor showers, they have a rather brief peak (only a few hours versus two days), but during that time, between 60 and 200 can be seen per hour in flawless viewing conditions.

The meteor rates are comparable to or even better than more well-known meteor showers, such as The Perseid meteor shower in August or the Geminid meteor shower in December. The timing favors observers in North America who could see dozens of meteors per hour flowing from a radiant near the North Star.

Earth is about to pass through a narrow stream of debris from shattered comet 2003 EH1, source of the annual Quadrantid meteor shower.

If you are interested in seeing the meteor shower, be prepared to go outside during the early morning hours on Monday, January 4.

Moreover, the Quadrantid meteor shower is a tad unusual compared its brethren. The best time to catch sight of a shooting star is between midnight and dawn (7 a.m) on Monday.

According to the Gizmodo, the Quadrantids are the first meteor shower of the year.

The Quadrantid meteor shower takes its name from a constellation which doesn’t exist anymore. This being was first confirmed in 2003, six years after scientists initially theorized its existence, and it was thanks to the Quadrantids that scientists were able to legitimize 2003 EHI.

What’s great is that the waning crescent moon shouldn’t disrupt the shower and the weather should be clear. What we now see burning up in the form meteors is pieces from this rocky body.