First Quadrantid Meteor Shower Ushers In 2015's First Weekend (STA BREAKING NEWS and ARCHIVES)

by Theresa , Saturday, January 03, 2015, 05:58

The Quadrantids , which is the first meteor shower of the year, peak this weekend as it makes an appearance in the north to north-eastern skies.Astronomers predict it will be mostly visible on Saturday at 9pm and early Sunday morning.

The Quadrantid meteor shower is always the first meteor shower of every new year.According to experts the complete commotion period of the Quadrantids runs from January 1 to 5, 2015.

Experts said, “Meteor showers are usually named after the constellation in the sky where their radiant is located: the point in the sky from which they appear to radiate. Thus, the Perseids are named for Perseus and the Geminids are named for Gemini”.

The event is very brief and intense and can be easily missed, so astronomers are advising people to stand in a position where the moon is blocked by a building or a tree.

Still, NASA estimates the meteor shower will boast about 80 meteors an hour at its peak.
Those in parts of Europe and Asia should have the best chance of catching a glimpse of the event this year. Stargazers are encouraged to find a viewing area away from city lights and streetlights, and to look east.

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