Quadrantid Meteor shower Jan3-4

[cheddarsox]

According to NASA, scientists believe this could be the most brilliant meteor shower in 2008 with over 100 visible meteors per hour at its peak. Best viewing times with the highest meteor rates are expected to be in either the late evening of Jan. 3 over Europe and western Asia or the early morning of Jan. 4 over the eastern United States. For the USA: 6pm – 2am (Pacific Time) on Jan. 3 and 4, 2008. For Northern Europe: 2am – 10am (London) on Jan. 4, 2008. For Northern Asia: 11am – 7pm (Tokyo) on Jan. 4, 2008. For almost of us, this means bundling up against the cold and battling the remnants of the waning Moon… But the sight of even one "shooting star" can make the trip worthwhile!

also...

Earth at perihelion on January 2, 2008


Around sunset tonight, U.S. time, you will be as close to the sun as you will be for all of 2008. Earth will be at perihelion – from Greek words “peri” meaning near, and “helios” meaning sun.

What’s more, tomorrow morning the moon will be at apogee. Apo = farthest. Gee = Earth. The moon will be farthest from Earth tomorrow morning.

It’s just a coincidence that perihelion happens so close to the December solstice. Likewise, it’s a coincidence that the perihelion and the new year both occur around the same time. Some 21,000 years from now, perihelion will happen around the June solstice.

[Pagan Warrior]

Cool!

[dani]

awesome! *smug pose* it just so happens i'll be out and about tomorrow night.


thanks for the tip! :thumbsup:

[Whitewolf]

Cool. Thanks for posting that. I'll be watching the sky tomorrow.

[cheddarsox]

Well, I just came in from my third viewing session...I saw about 40 meteors overall. Many were just thin bright flashes, the sort that make you ask yourself..did I just see that? Others dropped out of the sky like bombs near the horizon...a few "skippers" that skip like stones on water.

Now I am wondering how I will manage work today...sore from laying on the cold hard ground, chilled to the bone (and hot chocolate isn't cutting it) and with nearly no sleep...Oh well, priorities, priorities, priorities.

When the Universe throws a party, I'd hate not to show up...I'll muddle through the day somehow. this was pretty much a one night shower, so tonight, I will sleep.

[Windsmith]

Man, I have got to find a place to go to watch all of these meteor showers. Where I live is smothered in light pollution; I doubt I'd see much of anything.

Pondering better locales...

[Amber]

I've still never seen a meteor. :(

[cheddarsox]

I've still never seen a meteor. :(

I'm sorry, and there is not another shower in the Northern Hemisphere till April...and that one isn't a very big one (I don't think).

Still, hang in there...when the next good shower is occuring, make plans to watch it...find out when the peak is, pick a safe spot, prepare comfortable clothing, viewing materials and companionship and as long as the weather cooperates...you will be a meteor spotter!

A good shower is just magical!