Jan 3-4 Meteor Shower might be most Impressive of 2012

2010 Quadrantid Shower (source: photosbykev 2011)

The first meteoric light show of the new year has promise to be the most impressive - at least that is what is being suggested by researchers at NASA.

A Quadrantids meteor shower is expected to occur within the wee hours of pre-dawn on the night between Jan 3-4. Most sources offer a caveat about the shower, noting that the peak of activity would only last about an hour, whereas past meteor showers would stretch out for several days.

The window to catch tonight's meteor shower may be brief, yes; however, the opportunity to catch a spectacular show might be worth the gamble. NASA suggests that a viewer can expect to see anywhere from "60-200 meteors per hour at the shower's peak" (nasa.gov).

If you marvel at the natural beauty of the cosmos or are just looking for a romantic late night, star-gazing session, you might want to consider viewing tonight's meteor shower. Here are some tips if you plan on going out tonight:

• Dress warmly if needed!
• Find a dark place away from city or street lights
• Lie on your back on a blanket, sleeping bag, or lawn chair, and look straight up, taking in as much of the sky as possible
• Allow your eyes about 30 minutes to "dark-adjust" so you can see the meteors
• Best viewing will be right after moonset, around 3 a.m. your local time, all the way until dawn

Alternatively, if your desire is to stay warm or you just happen to be awake, NASA has provided a live video feed, via Ustream, at the organization's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL.



Happy Stargazing!

- Rich

Source: Quadrantids Will Create Brief, Beautiful Show on Jan. 3-4 (Nasa.gov)