For those who believe that cosmic events astrologically influence life on Earth, the plot for the opening of a new year couldn't be any better. This year, the annual quadrantids or the meteoric shower that illuminate the skies between December 28 to January 13, will peak on January 3.
The name ‘Quadrantid’ is derived from Quadrans Muralis — an extinct constellation from 18th century. Like the pole star, this constellation was used by sea farers for navigating unchartered areas and hence the name quadrantid (from quadrant).
According to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), these meteoric showers are not as bright as other such events such as Ursids.
Quadrantids usually don’t have long trains, but the heads may appear as bright fireballs. The peak on January 3 can reveal up to as 120 meteors per hour, according to NASA.
As the Earth orbits around the Sun, it passes through debris left by passing comets—and sometimes asteroids. The source of the Quadrantids is debris released from an asteroid named 2003 EH1.
When these fast-moving space rocks make way into Earth's atmosphere, the debris encounters aerial resistance and becomes very hot due to friction and eventually burns up.
Sometimes the air around the meteorite glows briefly, leaving behind a fiery tail — which forms the end of a ’shooting star’.
The best time to watch a meteor shower is in early morning, when the moonlight is low in the sky.