We're all hoping 2020 will be a bright year -- and if you look up at the night sky on January 3 or 4, it will certainly seem that way. The annual Quadrantid meteor shower always peaks in early January, and it's an amazing way to kick off the year. And luckily, it will be easily view-able from Rhode Island.
The Quadrantid Meteor Shower is considered one of the best meteor showers of the year, and you won't have to wait long to see it.
While it's normally active for two weeks, starting right after Christmas, peak activity lasts less than a day.
This year's peak night should be late evening January 3rd until dawn on January 4th, with the pre-dawn hours on January 4 being the best bet.
However, you should start seeing meteors much earlier in the night -- there's no need to stay up until sunrise.
To find the peak spot for this meteor shower, all you have to do is locate the big dipper in the sky.
The higher that you see the Big Dipper and the star Arcturus, the more likely it is that you’ll see some Quandrantid meteors.
Quadrantid Meteors are typically bright with a subtle greenish hue, many of which are fireball meteors.
And although the peak period is brief, this shower does produce quite a few meteors -- over 120, to be exact.
As they do with most meteor showers, the Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown is hosting a viewing party on Friday, January 3rd.
The observatory opens at 7 p.m., although you won't see much more than the moon that early. However, later in the night, there will be much more to see. The event is open to the public, and there's a $5 Suggested Donation per person.
Kick off the year right and check out this awesome meteor shower.
If you can't make it to the Frosty Drew Observatory, just find a stretch of wide, open sky in an area that's low on light.
Have you ever seen a Quadrantid meteor? If you've never caught a meteor shower from Rhode Island, make this the year you do.
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