How to Observe the Quadrantids Meteor Shower
12.27.07
The Quadrantids Meteor Shower
January 1 – 5, 2008
Peak Time (Estimated)
USA: 6pm – 2am (Pacific Time) on Jan. 3 and 4, 2008
Northern Europe: 2am – 10am (London) on Jan. 4, 2008
Northern Asia: 11am – 7pm (Tokyo) on Jan. 4, 2008
(Animation of meteors above the Earth)
A meteor shower occurs when small pieces of comet dust collide with the Earth’s atmosphere.
The Quadrantids get their name because the meteors appear to originate in the abandoned constellation Quadrans Muralis. (Located between Boötes and Draco.)
(Video of meteors captured during various airborne observation campaigns)
Video taken with an image-intensified camera during the 2007 Perseids (so named because the meteors appear to be originating the in the constellation Perseus the Hunter) and the Kappa Cygnids, named for Cygnus the Swan.
Video taken with an image-intensified camera during an airborne campaign to view the Leonids (Leo the Lion).
(Graphic showing constellations of Boötes the Herdsman, Draco the Dragon and Hercules, wipe to text explaining how and where to view the Quadrantids)
To view the Quadrantids, dress warmly and find a dark area with a clear view of the sky. Use a tree or pole to block the light from the moon.
Look towards the North. While the Quadrantids can be seen anywhere in the sky, they will appear to be coming from the area between Draco, Hercules and Boötes. Estimates call for between 50 – 130 meteors per hour.v
For more information, please visit http://quadrantids.seti.org
Produced by the NASA Ames Video Production Group, Moffett Field, Calif.
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