Lovers of the starry sky will be delighted in 2020. Indeed, this year will be particularly rich in astronomical phenomena, with in particular many meteor showers that will come to illuminate the night.
The first of these is the meteor shower known as Quadrantid, which can be observed between the 1st January 6, its peak being the night of January 3 to 4, with high activity the night of 4 to 5 also.
Weather permitting, this meteor shower will be visible around the world, but the best view will be in the northern hemisphere. The average hourly rate of the Quadrantids is 120 meteors per hour. However, because of the light reflected by the Moon, visibility may be reduced.
Unfortunately, the weather is forecast to be overcast in northern France, but people in the south will be more likely to observe the phenomenon. In Canada, the situation will not be much better overall, if it is not a release in Quebec on the night of 5 to 6 (the last to hope to see the meteor shower).
The radiant of the Quadrantides is located between the tail of the Big Dipper, the head of the Cattle dog, the foot of Hercules and the body of the Dragon. Credits: Sky & Telescope
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Be aware that meteor showers are caused when debris (meteors) enters the Earth’s atmosphere. Indeed, by turning around the Sun, the Earth regularly crosses clusters of cosmic debris. The latter are produced in particular by comets, which leave behind them trails made up of pieces of rock and ice which remain in suspension in space, long after the celestial object has passed.
This particular rain was named after the now disappeared constellation of Quadrans Muralis, and seems to radiate near the constellation of Bouvier, next to the Big Dipper.
” With up to 120 meteors per hour, the quadrantids is considered one of the best annual meteor showers, but you are likely to see far fewer meteors if there are imperfect viewing conditions Said Dhara Patel, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, London.
Unlike most meteor showers, which come from comets, scientists believe that the quadrantids come from an asteroid called 2003 EH1, which takes about five and a half years to orbit the Sun.
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While meteors can be spotted everywhere in the sky, Patel advises to face northeast so you can observe as many of these shooting stars as possible. ” Go outside after midnight as the Moon sets under the western horizon, so that there is as little interference as possible. To give you the best chance of spotting meteors, head to an open, dark area, allowing your eyes to become sensitive in the dark by avoiding any light source such as a cell phone. Once you’re settled in, be patient and enjoy the show – it will be visible until dawn “, She added.
Indeed, in order to optimize your observation, place yourself in a place located far from any light pollution, when the sky is clear. To help you find the perfect location in your area, you can use a light pollution map.
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