Guide to Skywatching & Astronomy in Ireland
Data also useful for the UK & some of Europe

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Quadrantids (or Bootids) Meteor Shower Jan 3-4

Ok so the moon is still very full, this will increase the background light & make it difficult to pick up some of the shooting stars but last year was a very good show, with a sharp peak so it may still be worth braving the cold.

The radiant of this shower is the bootes constellation, between draco, the big dipper & corona borealis. Some of the stars that make up Bootes used to be part of an old constellation Quadrans muralis - which is why the shower is called Quadrantids rather than the Bootids.

Bootes rises in the North East after 11pm, probably best viewing around 2.30 ish. But you could get up early and watch it around 5ish. Watch out for Saturn in Virgo & Mars next to the moon near Leo / Cancer.

Keep warm & Keep looking up!

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