Shooting stars streaking Southern California's darkened skies from an annual meteor shower will appear stronger over the next two days. The main viewing begins Friday morning and continues through Saturday, according to astronomical observers.
The annual Quadrantid meteor shower will reach its maximum visibility, particularly in the northern hemisphere, with about 25 meteors per hour, according to Ed Krupp, director of the Griffith Observatory.
“What you're going to need is a little patience because that translates to one every two minutes,” Krupp said. “They're not systematic or clockwork, but when they appear at the top, people enjoy them.”
The time when the meteor shower will be most visible varies by region.
Krupp said peak visibility for Southern California will occur Friday night into Saturday morning, from approximately midnight to 5:30 a.m., possibly as early as 6 a.m.
Around 10:00 p.m. the meteor shower can be found by locating the Boötes constellation, which according to Krupp can be seen by looking in a northeasterly direction.
By 3 a.m. the rains will be almost at the top, Krupp said.
The director said binoculars or a telescope are unnecessary and a potential obstacle because they narrow a stargazer's field of view.
“The best observations are made with just the eyes, which offer excellent viewing in CinemaScope,” Krupp said.
What is recommended for better viewing is to look for a dark area, away from cities and light pollution. NASA suggests that those heading outdoors should pack winter weather gear along with a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair.
Krupp suggested that the ideal would be to observe the desert.
The American Meteor Society predicts the shower will be heaviest at 9:45 a.m. Friday, which means Pacific Island Communities Would Probably Enjoy the Best Show.
The origin of the meteor shower is a bit ambiguous, according to Krupp.
Asteroid 2003 EH1, discovered in 2003 by researcher Peter Jenniskens, is believed to be behind the shooting stars.
Krupp said it is not certain whether 2003 EH1 is actually a meteor or a “dead comet,” meaning the celestial body has lost its volatile ice and gas that create the bright tail.
Since the best viewing is away from cities and light, Krupp said the observatory does not host any special viewing events.
