How to Watch the Quadrantid Meteor Shower Tonight
The Quadrantid meteor shower, the first meteor shower of 2020, will peak tonight this weekend.
While most meteor showers come from comets, the Quadrantids come from asteroids, making them a unique sight to see.
Technically, rainfall is visible until January 10; however, most meteors are expected to be visible tonight around 3:20 am ET. More than 100 shooting stars are expected to be visible per hour starting early Saturday morning.
Unlike some other showers, the Quadrantids will only be “strong” for about six hours, according to the American Meteor Society . This is in part due to the fine stream of particles that are part of the shower and the fact that the Earth crosses the stream at a perpendicular angle.
If you skip tonight’s show, next time you get a good look at showers in North America in 2028.
In terms of how you should look, the Meteor Society says it’s best to look at the northeast quadrant of the sky and then center your view about halfway up.
Presumably, this setting will allow you to see meteors flying in all directions. This will also help make sure you are looking at the Quadrantids and not other smaller meteor showers that may randomly happen at the same time. He also advises serious observers to keep their eyes on for at least an hour, as the shower will have several peaks and valleys to watch.
And, like all space events, it’s a good idea to start by looking for a dark spot away from city lights. You will also want to get there a little earlier than 3:20 so that your eyes can get used to the dark, and so you don’t miss anything if the meteor shower starts a little earlier.