Best Tips for Viewing the Quadrantids This Weekend

SHOOTING STAR WEEKEND

Did you stay out in the cold temps last night to watch for meteorites? They are supposed to be at their peak right now, so if you didn't get a chance because you had to work this morning, maybe you can bundle up tonight and enjoy the show.

The Quadrantid meteor shower is happening, and the shooting stars that you may see in the night-time sky through January 16th, 2025, are not from a comet, but from an asteroid.

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HISTORY OF THE QUADRANTIDS

The Quadrantids were first seen in the year 1825, as far as we know, and according to an article, an astronomer at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona discovered that the source of the meteor shower was a small asteroid called 2003 EH1.

EH1 takes approximately 5 1/2 years to orbit the sun. If you are looking for the shooting stars, you want to look around the handle of the Big Dipper according to NASA.

Photo by Niclas Lundin on Unsplash

NASA OFFERS TIPS FOR VIEWING

NASA also has offered up some tips on the best way to view shooting stars.

They say that you should find a dark area far away from any street lights. Since it's cold out there, you better come prepared. Get your sleeping bags, blankets, or lawn chairs, and make sure you are bundled up as well.
NASA says the best way to view the nighttime sky for shooting stars is by laying flat on your back, with your feet facing northeast.
NASA also says it takes about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the sky so that you can see shooting stars. You should be able to watch the sky through January 16th, so maybe this weekend might be a great time for you to get out there and do some stargazing!

LOTS OF SHOOTING STARS!

You might see anywhere from 60 to 200 Qaudrantid meteors per hour if the skies are clear. These meteors don't necessarily have the tail that so many like to see, but they do produce bright fireballs at times, which creates a longer-than-average meteor streak.