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By CHRISTINA LARSON
AP Science Writer
WASHINGTON — When the Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak on Friday, it will present the first opportunity of the year to witness fireballs illuminating the sky.
A diminishing crescent moon allows for excellent visibility under clear and dark skies.
Meteor showers typically derive their names from the constellations from which they seem to originate in the night sky. However, the Quadrantids “earn their name from a constellation that no longer exists,” noted NASA’s William Cooke.
These meteors generally do not leave long trails, but their heads can appear as brilliant fireballs. NASA indicates that during the peak, up to 120 meteors might be visible per hour.
Observations can continue until Jan. 16. Here’s what to understand about the Quadrantids as well as other meteor showers.
What constitutes a meteor shower?
As Earth circles the sun, it occasionally travels through debris left behind by passing comets — and at times asteroids. The Quadrantids stem from debris associated with asteroid 2003 EH1.
Upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, these swiftly moving space materials encounter air resistance, causing them to become extremely hot and eventually disintegrate.
At times, the air surrounding them emits a brief glow as they leave a fiery trail — marking the end of a “shooting star.”
No specific tools are necessary to observe the various meteor showers that occur each year; just a location away from urban lighting.
How to observe a meteor shower
The optimal time to view a meteor shower is during the early predawn hours when the moon is situated low in the sky.
Bright sources of light — like a radiant moon or artificial illumination — can hinder the clarity of meteors. Ideal viewing conditions occur on clear, moonless nights.
Additionally, focus on looking upward, not downward. Your eyes will be more attuned to spot shooting stars if you refrain from checking your phone.
The Quadrantids will reach their peak under a slim crescent moon, which is merely 11% illuminated.
When is the subsequent meteor shower?
The following meteor shower, the Lyrids, is expected to peak in mid-April.___
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