The Shibungid meteor shower, the first meteor shower to reach its peak in 2024, has begun.
Held from December 28th to January 16th, According to the American Meteor SocietyThe Quadriids meteor shower will peak on the night of Wednesday, January 3rd through Thursday, January 4th.
They come just weeks after the Geminid meteor shower, which saw more than 100 “shooting stars” in one of the most powerful meteor showers of 2023.
The Quadriids meteor shower is equally impressive, with up to 120 “shooting stars” per hour at its peak, but the peak only lasts a few hours.
Reasons to watch the Squirrel meteor shower
There’s not much point in looking for shooting stars until the peak, but the Shibungid meteor shower is the first meteor shower of the year. As the solar year begins, the Earth is destroyed by a stream of dust and debris left in the inner solar system by a comet. The Shibungid meteor shower is also known for its bright bolide meteors.
Causes of the Shibungid meteor shower
All “shooting stars” are caused by dirt and dust hitting Earth’s atmosphere, but their source is usually a passing comet. For the Quadriids, it’s asteroid 2003 EH1, which scientists believe is an extinct comet. It takes 5.5 years to go around the sun.
When can you see the Shibungid meteor shower?
The crescent moon will be visible on the night of the peak of the Cybungid meteor shower, and the best views will be seen afterwards. moonset Where you are (this will be around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere).
The place where the bright spots, or “shooting stars,” appear to radiate into the night sky are the Obliid meteor shower constellations, but this constellation does not officially exist. Although it has been omitted from the official list, it is said to be located between the constellations Bootes and Draco, near the end of the handle of the Big Dipper. NASA. This is good news. That’s because it’s a circumpolar sign, which means it’s “awake” all night. You can start observing “shooting stars” as soon as it gets dark (this is not the case in the Southern Hemisphere, where the Quadriids are not visible).
However, while it’s nice to see the Quadriids to the north, “shooting stars” can appear anywhere in the night sky. Leave binoculars and telescopes indoors, as they only limit your field of view, and leave them outside for at least 40 minutes to allow your eyes to dark-adapt.
I wish you clear skies and big eyes.
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