Quadrantids 2024: The Quadrantids meteor shower is set to peak on Thursday, showcasing a potential display of up to a hundred meteors per hour.
As per In the Sky, the shower is projected to reach its zenith approximately at 4 PM IST on Thursday, January 4. However, this timing presents a challenge for viewers in India as the peak coincides with daytime, making the meteor shower observation impossible. Nonetheless, the period between January 4 and January 5 will still offer a considerable number of visible meteors. Even post-peak, the shower will persist until January 12, although with significantly reduced chances of spotting meteors.
How to watch it
From New Delhi, the meteor showers won’t be visible until 12.07 AM each night, coinciding with the time when the radiant point ascends above the eastern horizon. The Quadrantids are expected to remain active until approximately 6.46 AM, just before dawn breaks. It’s worth noting that the radiant point of the Quadrantid meteor shower is situated within the Bootes constellation. This radiant point denotes the specific location in the sky from which all meteors appear to emanate.
For optimal chances of observing meteors, it’s advisable to venture to a dark and secluded outdoor location with minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view of the horizon. If feasible, lying down and gazing toward the radiant’s direction would be advisable. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that your eyes might require a few minutes to adapt to the darkness for optimal visibility.
Where does this meteor shower come from
Meteor showers derive their names from their “radiant point,” the position in the sky from which meteors appear to originate when observed from Earth. The Quadrantids, specifically named after the constellation Quadrans Muralis, were named so despite the constellation’s exclusion from the list compiled by the International Astronomical Union in 1922. As the meteor shower had already adopted this title, the name persisted. Additionally, the Quadrantids are occasionally referred to as the Bootids.
These mesmerizing celestial events occur when our planet traverses through remnants left by comets or asteroids. As Earth intersects this debris, it incinerates in our atmosphere, creating the dazzling spectacle known as “shooting stars.” Notably, the Quadrantids meteor shower is linked with the asteroid EH1, as reported by EarthSky.