Wednesday, January 2, 2013
When is the Quadrantids Meteor Shower? Take a peek at its peak on Jan. 3. If there are clouds that night, you can watch it on NASA.com.
The Quadrantid meteor shower is named for an extinct constellation, but the shooting stars that seem to sprout from it still arrive yearly, and the opening of the 2013 show was expected to begin overnight Jan. 1 into Jan. 2. The Quadrantids is one of the lesser-known meteor showers of the year, but that doesn't mean it's anything less than spectacular. Take a look at this Quadrantids meteor shower video or these pictures of the Quadrantids. While the shower begins overnight on the first day of the new year, NASA tells us Quadrantid meteor shower peaks in the wee morning hours of Jan. 4: "[T]he Quadrantids have a maximum rate of about 100 per hour, varying between 60-200. The waxing gibbous moon will set around 3 a.m. local time, leaving …
Monday, December 10, 2012
The most reliable meteor shower of the year, the Geminids, is on its way – with no moon to obscure the show over Johnston.
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Monday, December 10, 2012
The Geminid meteor shower 2012, the final major meteor shower of every year and likely to be the best, peaks overnight Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, and you may be able to see a great show on either side of those dates. If you liked the Perseids meteor shower 2012 in August, you should love this show. NASA reports that the Geminids are a relatively young meteor shower, with the first sitings occurring in the 1830s with rates of about 20 per hour. Over the decades the rates have increased, regularly spawning between 80 and 120 per hour at its peak on a clear evening. How spectacular is it? Just take a look at this video of the Geminid meteor shower. You can also look at some spectacular photos of the Geminids. Earthsky.org reports the Geminids peak …
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Look to the skies for some stunning light displays this November and December.
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Sunday, November 11, 2012
As you hang holiday lights and light the candles, cast your gaze upon the universe's natural fireworks, as well. A thin crescent moon in 2012 has provided for dark nights and early morning light to enhance this year's North Taurid meteor shower display, which is expected to peak just after midnight on Monday, Nov. 12, according to EarthSky.org. Space.com reports the best time to see the Taurid meteors, or, "Halloween fireballs," started Nov. 5 and peaks on Monday, as the moon diminishes in brightness each night. Ten to 15 yellow-orange meteors may appear per hour each night and appear to move very slowly, according to Space.com. Astronomers anticipate two more meteor showers this November and December: Nov. 17: Leonid Meteor Shower Dec. …
