Quadrantid Meteor: The Quadrantid meteor, 2025’s first meteor shower, is set to light up the sky and welcome the New Year on the night of January 3 and 4. This meteor shower has been visible since Friday and is known for its intense peak and frequent bright fireballs. Unlike other meteor showers that originate from large or small comets, the Quadrantids originate from an asteroid named 2003 EH1. According to the American space agency NASA, this asteroid is considered either a “dead” comet or a “rock” comet.
When Meteors Occur In Sky?
The space phenomenon occurs when our planet, also known as the blue planet, passes through debris left by a comet or asteroid. The Quadrantids are unique as they peak for only a few hours every year. unlike other meteor showers that have longer peak period.
As per NASA, the short duration is because ofthe shower’s narrow stream of particles and the perpendicular angle at which our planet intersects this stream. During optimal viewing conditions, people can see 60 to 200 meteors per hour at the peak.
Quadrantids
“Quadrantids” is a term that traces its roots back to the now-nonexistent constellation called Quadrans Muralis, a creation made by the French astronomer Jerome Lalande in 1795. However, this particular constellation no longer holds a place on the International Astronomical Union’s official list of recognized constellations.
Spotting Quadrantids in India
The Quadrantid meteor shower will be visible until January 16, 2025.
The peak viewing times are expected to be during the nights of January 2-3 and January 3-4 in India.
Skywatchers may see between 80 to 120 shooting stars per hour during the shower’s peak activity.
Sumit Srivastava from the Indira Gandhi Planetarium provides insights into the celestial event.
The best time to observe the meteor shower is in the early hours before dawn.
A planetarium is organizing an event to set up telescopes for skywatchers.
The Quadrantids meteor shower is expected to be particularly visible from the Northern Hemisphere.
This meteor shower is best observed when the sky is clear.
Astronomy enthusiasts are encouraged to witness this celestial event.
The optimal time to view the Quadrantids is in the early morning hours.
