NEW YORK (AP) — In January, skywatchers will be treated to a special event featuring the first supermoon of the year and the Quadrantid meteor shower. However, the bright light from the supermoon might make it hard to see the meteors.
The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks from Friday night into Saturday morning. On a typical night, you might spot around 25 meteors per hour. But this time, experts say you might only see about 10 because of the supermoon’s brightness. Mike Shanahan, director of the planetarium at Liberty Science Center in New Jersey, points out, “The full moon can overpower the meteor shower.”
Meteor showers occur when rapid space rocks enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up, creating stunning streaks in the sky, commonly referred to as “shooting stars.” These displays happen annually as Earth travels through clouds of cosmic debris.
A supermoon happens when the full moon is at its closest point to Earth, making it look about 14% larger and 30% brighter than the dimmest moon of the year, according to NASA. This difference can be subtle unless you’re paying close attention.
While supermoons shine bright in almost any night sky, the Quadrantids are best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere. You don’t need special gear to enjoy both events.
For the best chance to see the Quadrantids, find a dark spot away from city lights. Experts recommend looking in the early evening before the supermoon dominates the sky or during the dawn hours on Sunday. Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness and avoid looking at your phone—we want those “shooting stars” to pop out against the night!
Meteor showers are named after the constellation from which they appear to originate. The Quadrantids come from the space debris of asteroid 2003 EH1, and interestingly, they are named after a now-unrecognized constellation.
Looking ahead, the next major display, the Lyrids meteor shower, is set for April.
Supermoons occur several times a year and generally come in clusters due to the moon’s elliptical orbit. The upcoming event on Saturday will be part of a sequence started in October, and it won’t be until late 2026 before we see another supermoon.
For enthusiasts, a recent survey noted that nearly 70% of people express interest in astronomy and often check for celestial events. Engaging with these phenomena can enhance appreciation for our universe.
In addition, social media has been buzzing with anticipation for these events. Trendy hashtags like #Supermoon2023 and #Quadrantids have kicked off discussions about what to expect and how to make the most of these celestial shows.
Next time you’re gazing at the night sky, remember that there’s always something magnificent happening above us.
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