Schematic diagram of the location of the meteor shower radiation point in the constellation Quadrant. Author: Astronomical popular science comic blogger EasyNight
Tianjin, January 2 (Xinhua) -- Astronomical science experts introduced that as the opening drama of 2022, the first large-scale meteor shower - the quadrantid constellation meteor shower will usher in a huge on January 4, and it is expected that the maximum ZHR (under ideal observation conditions, the radiation point is located directly above the head, the number of meteors that can be seen per hour) can reach 120, and friends who like meteor showers can choose the time from the early morning of the 4th to before sunrise to observe it.
Beijing astronomy enthusiast Liu Bin photographs the Quadrant Constellation meteor shower in Miyun, Beijing, on January 4, 2016. (Courtesy of me)
In fact, the Quadrantids meteor shower began to warm up before the arrival of the New Year, and its active period from the end of December 2021 to the middle of January of the following year is the coldest period of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Most meteor showers are named after the constellation where the radiation point is located, and the quadrantids meteor shower is no exception, but this constellation is not one of the modern 88 constellations. The quadrant is a de-canceled constellation name after which the meteor shower radiation point is located at the junction of Draco, Shepherd, Ursa Major and Vicaris, making it a great fit for meteor showers observed in the Northern Hemisphere. Especially in the second half of the night, more shooting stars can be seen. The meteor shower has a moderate speed, with many bright meteors.
Disappearing quadrant holder. Author: Astronomical popular science comic blogger EasyNight
A quadrant meteor shower photographed in the early morning hours of January 4, 2014 in Fangshan, Beijing. (Photo courtesy of Beijing Planetarium Information Center)
"The Quadrant Meteor Shower, along with the Perseid Meteor Shower and the Gemini Meteor, are known as the three major meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere. Compared with the other two major meteor showers, the peak duration of the Quadrant Meteor Shower is very short, only a few hours, and its radiation point rises relatively high in the second half of the night, catching up with the cold winter, and the observation conditions are not very friendly. Song Yuanyuan, director of the Tianjin Astronomical Society and an expert in astronomical science popularization at the Tianjin Science and Technology Museum, said.
Tianjin astronomy enthusiast Wu Delin photographed the Quadrant Constellation meteor shower in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, on January 3, 2020. (Courtesy of me)
Astronomical forecasts show that this year's Quadrantids meteor shower will appear at 4:40 Beijing time on January 4, on the second day of the first lunar month, without moonlight interference, and the maximum occurrence is at night, which is very beneficial to observation.
Tianjin astronomy enthusiast Han Tao photographed the Quadrant Constellation meteor shower in Baodi, Tianjin on January 4, 2014. (Courtesy of me)
"Both the Perseid meteor shower and the Gemini meteor shower will be disturbed by moonlight during the maximum period of 2022, and the degree of excitement will be reduced, so the Quadrant meteor shower can be said to be the most suitable meteor shower for public observation in China this year." The ideal time to observe is from the early morning of January 4 to before sunrise, and it does not require any observation equipment to be seen with the naked eye. But at present, it is the cold winter season, the temperature at night will be very low, friends who like meteor showers must pay attention to cold protection and warmth when observing. Song Yuanyuan especially reminded.
Source: Xinhua Net