The first meteor shower in 2024

Today, at night, will be the optimal time to observe the first meteor shower of 2024: the quadrant, which could reach an activity rate above 120 passing meteors per hour and a speed of 41 kilometers per second, reports the National Astronomical Observatory (OAN) of Spain.

The Quadrantids are one of the most active showers of the year, along with the Perseids in August and the Geminids in December, although their meteors are not seen as often as those of the other two showers, as their period of maximum activity tends to last. several hours and bad weather conditions common to northern winter.

Although its maximum activity will be in the early morning hours tomorrow, from Wednesday to Thursday, this one meteor shower It takes place from December 28 to January 12.

His origin

This one meteor shower That’s because Land At that time it passes through a ring filled with fragments that supposedly separated from asteroid 2003 EH1which, in contact with the Earth’s atmosphere, burn up, creating those bright lights known as shooting stars, which in this case correspond to the quadrants.

Rain from meteors It appears to have one center of origin, called the radiant, the point from which all Shooting stars whose location is commonly used to name a meteor shower.

The place from which quadrantids is located north of Bootes constellation (Boyero), near the tail Ursa Major.

The name of the quadrant comes from the constellation Quadrans Muralis, named after the French astronomer Jerome Lalande 1795, but is not currently recognized by International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Where to see them

For observers on peninsular latitudes40º north, the quadrant radiant is above the horizon from dusk to dawn.

Place of observing it can be anything as long as it provides a dark sky, with a few obstacles for sight (such as buildings, trees or mountains).

Although the Quadrantids may originate from the constellation Bootes, they can be seen anywhere in the world. darlingit is advisable to direct your gaze towards the darkest areas, u direction opposite to the position of the Moon if the observation is made when it is present.

The astronomers we recommend that it is most comfortable to dress warmly, lie down and wait for your eyes to get used to it darkness to be able to see them.

The OAN admits that observing this meteor shower will be difficult due to two factors other than the possible meteorological conditions unfavorable, on the one hand, the fact that the maximum activity will be around ten in the morning on the 4th and that they will be covered by the morning twilight.

And on the other hand that Month Precisely on the 4th, it will be in its last quarter, so in the hours near sunrise it will be high in the sky, so with its light it can make it difficult to observe most meteors. weak.