Quadrantid Meteor

About Quadrantid Meteor:

• It occurs every year in early January. It is among one of the most intense annual meteor displays, and has a brief peak lasting only a few hours.
• The name Quadrantids comes from the now obsolete constellation Quadrans Muralis, which was named in 1975 by French astronomer JJ Lalande.
• The meteor shower was observed for the first time in the 1830s by Belgian astronomer Adolphe Quetelet.
• Origin: It branches from the northeast corner of the Boötes constellation.
• The Quadrantids reportedly emerged from asteroid 2003 EH1, which is believed to be a fragment of an extinct comet that broke down in 1490-91.
• In its peak activity, observers can spot 60 to 120 meteors per hour. However, the visibility depends mainly on location and timing.
• This year the viewing conditions will largely favour North America, especially for those in Mississippi. Apart from the US, Canada, certain regions in Northern Europe, and Russia, China, Japan, and Korea are likely to witness the shower.

Q1: What is constellation?

A constellation is a group of stars that are perceived to form a recognizable pattern or shape when viewed from Earth. Each constellation is defined by a specific set of stars, and their positions relative to each.

Source :First meteor shower of 2025: What are Quadrantids and where can you watch them?

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