Meteor Storm Tomorrow

[Tazni]

Here I sit hopeful for the skies to be clear on the 4th, with a meteor storm due to the south of Ursa Major.


Typically the forcast is snow... But I thought I should tell you lot incase you were unaware and interested... Although the chances of a clear sky are small =[


Should peak around 5am January 5th

[barquar]

wow will be out looking for that will that be in north south east or west.
Barquar

[Mr Mag00]

some more info??

[Tazni]

Should be to the north east
Just off the tail of Ursa Major (Big dipper/Great Bear)

Slightly in the conselation of Bootes and is basically in the middle of: -
Draco
Ursa Minor
Ursa Major
Canes Venatici
Coma Berenices
Bootes
Corona Borealis
Hercules

Right in the middle... Erm... you should find it if you research it on google it's called the Quandrantid meteor shower

=]

[tufftie]

What sort of time?

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by tufftie

What sort of time?

Quadrantids (named after the ancient, now defunct constellation The Quadrant) run every year from approximately 1-6th January.
The maximum rate of "shooting stars" per hour CAN reach up to 200, but the Quadrantids are reknowned for not being particularly bright. You'll need very clear, dark skies - with no cloud and no moon to speak of. (Well, at least the moon represents no bother at present).
Unless you had all the above at 5am this morning, and were watching, you'll have missed the predicted peak.
Still.... you've got until roughly the 6th to see any, if you really want to have a go, and you've got clear skies...
If you haven't got clear skies, and don't see or didn't see any of the Quadrantids, there's NO need to feel disillusioned or disappointed about the meteor shower you missed...

I think a better bet (considering the weather right now) is to wait until the skies clear (whenever that may be... February??!!), and spend an hour or so outside looking at the stars, learning the names of them, and the constellations, and I guarantee you'll see the odd shooting star - probably much brighter than any Quadrantid half hidden by clouds...
Then there's satellites to spot, the International Space Station, the planets to find***, nebulae, other galaxies, comets .... its ENDLESS!!!

***For example, right at the end of January (31st), the stunning sight of Venus and Jupiter in conjunction, will be able to be viewed in the pre-dawn eastern sky - both (very bright) planets, within 1.5 degrees of each other, ie extremely close together in the sky....

Doug

[tufftie]

Thanks Doug! I was awake then (fighting for pillow space with the cat!) but not looking skywards - it was raining anyway. I'll have a look on the next dark, clear night then and on the 31st if it's clear. I've always been fascinated but my knowledge is limited, very limited. Got one of those round star chart things too I've the orange glow problem round here but be worth waiting until i visit friends in the country perhaps. Now if I don't see a shooting star I'm quite partial to marzipan chocolate...!

[Tazni]

Just saw the most wonderful shooting star ever =]


At first I was confused as to what it was, due to the speed, but it was indeed a shooting star that swept across the entire sky starting from the tail of Ursa major past the entire sky until I could no longer see it

=]


I'm happy now lol

[mrs fish]

Only just seen this thread


Glad you saw one Tazni

[Tazni]

Look out your window now in the direction they are still flying =]