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This quadrantid meteor appeared in New Mexico in 2013.
NASA / MSFC / MEO
The New Year has finally arrived, and 2021 begins with a pretty light show for those who wish to hit the streets early Sunday morning to see the Quadrantid meteor shower.
The Quadrantids are not as well known as the Perseids or Leonidas, but they have the potential to be one of the strongest rains of the year.
The challenge is that these bright shooting stars and fireballs are at risk of being washed away by the bright moon that won’t be far from its full phase on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Also, the peak of the Quadrantids is quite narrow, with a window of only a few hours rather than a few days like other rains.
But with a little planning, you might be able to see the screen, which is known to produce more than 100 meteors per hour, including a fair amount of glowing fireballs.
The International Meteor Organization predicts that the Quadrantids will officially peak an hour before sunrise on the Pacific coast of much of North America, or a few hours after sunrise on the East Coast. However, such predictions aren’t always accurate, so your best bet is to simply venture out sometime between 2 a.m. and sunrise on Sunday.
Photos of the 2020 Perseid meteor shower glow brightly in a dark year
See all photos
You’ll want to avoid light pollution as much as possible and find a place to observe with good weather, a wide view of the sky, and the ability to direct your gaze away from the bright moon as much as possible. Note that the show is generally best in the Northern Hemisphere, where you’ll probably want to bundle up for the brave winter temperatures in most places.
The Quadrantids will appear to emanate from the region of the sky near Polaris, the North Star, but they will traverse all parts of the sky.
This is because what is actually happening is that Earth is drifting through a debris cloud tethered to asteroid 2003EH1, which may once have been a comet. While the origins of these meteors may be somewhat mysterious, they will collide with our atmosphere and burn dramatically.
Enjoy the first great night sky show of 2021!
