Quadrantids meteor shower to kick off 2012
January 3rd, 2012 - 11:25 pm ICT by Aishwarya BhattLos Angeles, Jan 3 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Expectant space watchers are closely looking out for the first visible meteor shower of the year. On Wednesday, astronomers say clear skies will present the perfect view of the skies on Wednesday when Quadrantid meteor shower takes place.
To get the best of view, space scientists suggest that you should track the event at around 2 am EST. Because the shower will be lasting for just few hours, it is important to keep vigil so as not to miss it entirely.
Quadrantid was first described in 1795 by French astronomer Jerome Lalande. He came up with the name based on the constellation of Quadrans Muralis. In case you are not aware of what that is, it is the wall quadrant which is located between the constellations of Bootes and Draco.
Unfortunately not everyone will be able to view the phenomenon on the sky on Wednesday. Because of where it will take t place, only those at the northern hemisphere will be able to view the event. The fragments that will be entering the planet as the phenomenon takes place will burn shortly after entry. They will be traveling at a speed of 90,000 miles per hour. They will however burn at 50 miles above the surface of earth.
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Tags: bootes, clear skies, constellation, constellations, draco, fragments, french astronomer, meteor shower, miles per hour, muralis, northern hemisphere, perfect view, phenomenon, sky, space scientists, surface of earth, vigil, wall quadrant