If you want to get the universe on your side for 2024, this is the night to wish upon a star. The Quadrantids, one of the most vibrant and reliable meteor showers of the year, will peak this evening between January 3 and 4. Luckily, viewing conditions are much improved from last year, when a full moon meant bad news for stargazers and werewolves alike.
The Quadrantid meteor showers are some of the most impressive of their kind, and are easier to see in the northern hemisphere. They’re famous for a short but explosive peak – and they’re happening tonight.
When is the Quadrantid meteor shower due to be visible in the UK?
Unlike other showers of this kind which are often able to be seen for multiple days, the Quadrantids peak lasts only a few hours, so make sure to get your timing right. The best time to see them is January 4 roughly between midnight and 5am, so bring a thermos and a blanket and settle in for an evening with the stars.
What is the Quadrantid meteor shower?
The really, really short version is that the Earth is passing through the remnants of an old asteroid. When we collide with this debris, it happens at a rate of up to 70km per second, and the dust trails look like shooting stars for us Earth-dwellers.
How can I watch?
Telescopes are unnecessary but optional. These meteors are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, but any light will disturb your viewing. Ideally, find somewhere safe in the countryside with minimal light pollution, and put your phone aside. Astronomers recommend giving your eyes up to half an hour to adjust to the dark without any artificial light or electronics.
The weather will also impact viewing, so make sure to check the forecast before heading out to avoid a cloudy night and disappointment.
How many shooting stars per hour will there be?
There will be between 110-120 stars flying across the night sky per hour, which is the second highest rate of any shower this year.
When will the next meteor shower be?
If you miss tonight, unfortunately you’re in for a long wait. The next shower of this proportion won’t be until the Perseids in August, although there will be several much smaller ones in between now and then. Check with an official meteor calendar for a full list.
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