WASHINGTON — When the Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak on Friday, it will be the first chance this year to see fireballs in the sky.
A waning crescent means good visibility under clear and dark conditions.
Most meteor showers are named after the constellations they appear to originate from in the night sky. But NASA’s William Cook said the tetrads “took their name from a constellation that no longer exists.”
These meteorites usually do not have long trains, but the heads may appear as bright fireballs. The peak may reveal up to 120 meteors per hour, according to NASA.
The offer runs until January 16. Here’s what to know about Quadrantids and other meteor showers.
What is a meteor shower?
As the Earth orbits the Sun, several times a year it passes through debris left behind by comets and, occasionally, asteroids. The source of the tetrads is the debris of asteroid 2003 EH1.
When these fast-moving space rocks enter Earth’s atmosphere, the debris encounters new resistance from the air and becomes very hot, eventually burning up.
Read more: A new spacecraft could help determine whether there is life on Jupiter’s moon
Sometimes, the surrounding air glows briefly, leaving behind a fiery tail — the end of a shooting star.
You don’t need special equipment to see the various meteor showers that flash through annually, just a bit away from the city lights.
How to watch meteor showers
The best time to view meteor showers is in the early hours of the morning, when the moon is low in the sky.
Competing light sources – such as the bright moon or artificial glow – are the main obstacles to a clear view of meteors. Clear nights when the moon is waning to its greatest extent are ideal viewing opportunities.
And keep looking up, not down. Your eyes will be better adapted to spotting meteors if you don’t check your phone.
The Quadrantids will peak on a night with a thin crescent moon, only 11% full.
When is the next meteor shower?
The next meteor shower, the Lyrids, will peak in mid-April.