Quadrantids, the first meteor shower of 2019, to peak before dawn tomorrow in India

One of the most beautiful displays of “shooting stars” will peak several hours from now in the early hours of 4 January. There won’t be as much visibility of the meteor shower from India as Europe or North America, but it’s possible to catch a glimpse of the blue-tailed cosmic spectacle nonetheless — if you know what to expect. The ‘Quadrantid’ (pronounce: KWA-dran-tid) meteors are the first annual meteor showers of 2019. As Space.com  puts it perfectly, paraphrasing Forrest Gump, “The Quadrantids are like opening up a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get.” The “Quads” really are notoriously unpredictable, but there’s some amount of luck involved in spotting them.

Bountiful Quadrantid Meteor Shower of 2019 Hits North America at Wrong Time https://t.co/hXI9u8GXlk pic.twitter.com/TjPQAsNXrU

— SPACE.com (@SPACEdotcom) January 2, 2019

To make sure you’re prepared, and spot them at their peak, here’s everything you should know about the Quadrantids.

What are the Quadrantids?

The Quadrantid meteors or **"**Quads" are among the oddest meteor showers known to us. They were discovered fairly recently in 2003 and have a very short peak period of a few hours, unlike the Perseids or the Orionids which last for days. Interestingly, the constellation that the Quads were named after no longer exists. When the Quads were first spotted in 1825, the meteors appeared to stream away from a point in the sky that appeared in a constellation called the Quadrans Muralis. This constellation falls between the constellations Draco the Dragon and Boötes the Herdsman in a star map – just near the handle of the famous Big Dipper. [caption id=“attachment_5798501” align=“alignnone” width=“1280”] How to triangulate the Quadrantids. Image courtesy: AMS Meteors[/caption] The International Astronomical Union prepared a list of constellations in 1922, a list in which Quadrans Muralis was neither elected, nor included. Since 2003, the real origin of the Quadrantids has become ever so slightly clearer. Most meteor showers come from comets that have broken apart, and the source of the Quadrantids is now believed to be an asteroid called the ‘2003 EH1’, which is believed to be an extinct comet or a “rock comet.”

Where to spot the Quadrantids?

For the Quadrantids, as with any meteor shower, the bulk of meteors are visible when the radiant is high in the sky. The streaks of meteors’ trails come away from the northern tip of Boötes, near the Big Dipper’s extended handle, close to the Arcturus star — the brightest in the Boötes constellation. To find the radiant, or the place of origin of these meteors, trace Boötes or Arcturus. An alternative way to spot the Quad meteors is to first spot the Big Dipper constellation towards the Northeast direction in the sky. [caption id=“attachment_5798411” align=“alignnone” width=“1280”] The position of the Quadrantids meteor shower relative to the Big Dipper and Arcturus. Image courtesy: Space[/caption] Then, trace “arc” of the Big Dipper’s handle to another visible star — a red giant called Arcturus that anchors the bottom of the Boötes constellation.

When to watch the Quadrantids?

The radiant for the Quadrantids is the highest point in the sky in the darkest hour before dawn on 4 January in India, with the maximum visibility around 4 am in the morning, just between twilight and sunrise. In Europe, the peak hour for meteor shower sightings has been predicted for 2 am UTC (7.30 am IST) by the International Meteor Organisation. Know that meteor showers are notorious for defying even the best-laid forecasts, so your best bet to spot them is to simply stay prepared and stay patient.

How to watch the Quadrantids

• Binoculars and telescopes are not much use to see meteor showers since they streak overhead and are best seen without equipment.
• It’s crucial you give your eyes some time to adapt to the dark. Catch a dark patch of unobstructed sky and give your eyes 30-45 minutes away from sources of light to adjust.

• NASA advises skywatchers to find a spot sheltered and well away from the city or street lights — a parking lot or a large park ideally and carry a sleeping bag or chair along to ensure you’re comfortable.
• The radiant of the Quadrantids will fall between the handle of the Big Dipper and the head of the constellation Draco. But while the radiant can help generally spot the patch of sky to observe, it is best to look slightly away from the radiant since the meteors further away from this point last longer in the sky and are more visible.
• If you think you might need your cell phone during this time, lower the amount of blue light and brightness your screen gives off using “night mode”. Checking your phone in this mode while skywatching won’t affect your night vision as much.

Being the first major meteor shower of 2019, the Quadrantid meteor shower will likely be at its best in the hours between midnight and dawn on 4 January, EarthSky  says. Fortunately, their timing in 2019 coincides with the absence of moonlight, which means dark skies and better chances of spotting the meteors. Happy meteor-gazing!