Quadrantid Meteor Shower, First of 2012, May Dazzle Early Wednesday

[dgbygrace]

The first meteor shower of 2012 ? the lesser known Quadrantid meteor shower ? will kick off a new year of skywatching when it peaks on Wednesday (Jan. 4).

While many meteor displays in 2011 were washed out by a bright moon, the Quadrantid meteor shower is expected to put on a spectacular light show, with no pesky moonlight to interfere. The peak of the Quadrantids will occur at around 2 a.m. EST (0700 GMT) on Jan. 4.

If you're planning to stay up late to catch the peak, you could be treated to meteors at a rate of 100 per hour, NASA officials said in a statement. Luckily, the waxing gibbous moon will set at around 3 a.m. local time, so as long as there are clear skies, conditions should be ripe for meteor watching into the pre-dawn hours. The sky map available here  shower where to look to see the Quadrantid meteors.

http://news.yahoo.com/quadrantid-meteor-shower-first-2012-may-dazzle-early-140503094.html

[cizz]

KWEL! I'll have to check out the map and see when I can get the best veiw of them here NC.  Zachus came in last night and said he saw a shooting star!

[dgbygrace]

Nice!