Posted in Arkansas
December 29, 2019
Watch Up To 40 Meteors Per Hour In The First Meteor Shower Of 2020, Visible From Arkansas
Start your year looking up with the Quadrantid meteor shower. This is one of the largest meteor showers we’ll see but it won’t last long! Typically showers last a couple of days but the Quadrantid will be here and gone in one night. Let’s learn more about this short-but-spectacular star show.
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Earlier in December we had great view of the Geminids meteor shower (which you can read about right here) but the star shows aren't over yet! On January 3rd, an even better shower will occur - the Quadrantid.
Geminids had the problem of competing against a full moon but that won't be the case with Quadrantid. The shower will be visible from 2 am - dawn on January 4th which will be after the (not full) moon has set. As long as you've found a spot with limited light pollution the star show should be spectacular.
For the best viewing possible you need to let your eyes adjust to the dark for about 30 minutes before the show starts. Next you'll need to find the Big Dipper. The radiant point of Quadrantid meteor shower will be just below it.
Arkansans should be able to see between 25-40 meteors per hour during the 2020 Quadrantid shower. What's even better is that some astronomers are speculating that up to 100 meteors will be pouring over the sky because of the peak conditions!
Regardless of how many meteors you see, the Quadrantid has a unique feature that will make the night unforgettable. The meteors from this comet are called "fireball meteors." These meteors have longer lasting color because they come from larger particles than other showers.
Regardless of how many meteors you see, the Quadrantid has a unique feature that will make the night unforgettable. The meteors from this comet are called "fireball meteors." These meteors have longer lasting color because they come from larger particles than other showers.
Thanks to our mild winter, camping this weekend should be pleasant. Our state has plenty of sites with limited light pollution including the first Dark Sky Park. For more information on the star-studded event, head to the Farmer's Almanac right here.
We would love to see your starry pics in our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
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