Watch Up To 100 Meteors Per Hour In The First Meteor Shower Of 2020, Visible From Alabama
What better way to kick off the New Year than to watch a spectacular astronomical display across the sky? The first meteor shower of 2020 is only a few days away. This type of meteor shower is known as a Quadrantid meteor shower, and you can learn all about it below.
The Quadrantid meteor shower is the first meteor shower that takes place each year. For 2020's Quadrantid meteor shower, you can expect to see up to100 meteors per hour. After all, they've been known to produce 50-100 meteors per hour in the past.
So, what exactly is a Quadrantid? Well, it's a type of meteor that's often referred to as a "fireball meteor." What makes it unique compared to other types of meteors is that it's much brighter and its color lasts much longer.
The best time to watch this year's Quadrantid meteor shower is during the late night hours of January 3 until dawn January 4. There will be no moon during the predawn hours, which makes it much easier to see the Quadrantids.
The Quadrantids’ peak will only last a few short hours, so you've got to be in the right spot in order to view them. Any place at mid-northern and far-northern latitudes will most likely work best.
Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home.