Who needs fireworks when Mother Nature can provide a meteor shower?

 

Astronomy enthusiasts will have a great show in store for them this Friday morning as the Quadrantids meteor shower will peak in the hours just before dawn. The Quadrantids is one of four major meteor showers visible throughout the year in the night sky.

 

Those wanting to catch a glimpse of the meteor shower can do so just before sunrise on Friday morning. The area to watch will be near the Big Dipper. Peak viewing will only be for a few hours. The reason the peak is so short is due to the shower's thin stream of particles and the fact that the Earth crosses the stream at a perpendicular angle. During its peak, as many as 200 Quadrantid meteors can be seen per hour under perfect conditions.

 

Quadrantids are also known for their bright fireball meteors. Fireballs are larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak.