Meteor Shower Will Light Up the Sky With “Bright Fireballs” Next Week—How to See It
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The night sky is special because it presents a unique opportunity to take in vast amounts of natural beauty from practically anywhere you are. Everything from brightly shining planets to passing comets can put on a show for all of us down here on Earth. But if you want to start 2024 with a memorable sight, you might want to clear your evening calendar over the coming days. That’s because a meteor shower will light up the sky next week with “bright fireballs.” Read on for more on how you can catch this impressive event.
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You won’t have to wait long into the new year for a major celestial sight. The Quadrantids meteor shower is now underway and will be putting on a show in the night sky over the next few weeks, according to NASA.
Similar to other meteor showers, the Quadtrantids are created by Earth passing through a cosmic debris field. But unlike many other major annual showers born from the dusty remnants of comet tails, these result from a passing asteroid known as 2003 EH1, which orbits the sun once roughly every five and a half years. The small object was only recently discovered in 2003 and measures only about two miles in diameter, per NASA.
Like the Ursids, Gemonids, and Perseids, the Quadrantids also derive their name from their radiant point, which in this case is a constellation known as “Quadrans Muralis.” However, unlike the other major showers, this event’s namesake is no longer recognized as a celestial body after an update of recognized modern constellations in 1922 did away with the designation. Because of this, the Quadrantids are sometimes also known as the Bootids, thanks to the Bootes constellation that took its place.
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Part of the Quadtrantids’ high esteem among astronomers rests in the fact that they tend to start the year off with a bang. The event is considered by many to be “one of the best annual meteor showers,” producing 60 to as many as 200 meteors per hour during its peak, according to NASA.
They also tend to look more impressive, too. Since the particles that create them are somewhat larger, Quadrantids tend to produce “bright fireballs” that can linger in the sky much longer than an average streaking meteor.
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If you’re planning on catching the spectacle for yourself, prepare to set aside some time next week for stargazing. The Quadrantids are set to peak on the night of Jan. 3 through the morning of Jan. 4, according to the American Meteor Society (AMS).
But while the meteors have earned a reputation for their brilliance, they’re not exactly the most convenient shower to catch in terms of bedtime. Viewers should expect the most activity to occur in the early morning hours of Jan. 4 between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., per AMS. However, it’s best not to put it off: While the meteors will still be visible through Jan. 16, the window for the peak is notably brief due to the Earth’s trajectory through the asteroid’s debris trail, according to NASA.
Even though clear weather is always ideal for viewing, it’s not the only condition that could affect this year’s experience. A half-full moon will also rise on the night of the Quadrantids’ peak, which could make it harder to see some of the brilliant objects as they light up the sky.
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Getting a good view of the Quadtrantids shouldn’t be too hard for people in the Northern Hemisphere. But for the best chance at seeing as many as possible, find a location that’s far from city and street lights that could drown out the meteors, NASA suggests.
If you’re worried about the moon drowning out your view, there’s still a way to protect your eyes from the glare. According to AMS, finding a spot with a tree or building that blocks it out and looking to the north can help.
And while it’s always important to prepare for the elements while stargazing, frigid winter weather makes proper planning all the more critical. Dress warmly and bring along a sleeping back or blanket that will allow you to stay toasty while reclining on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible, NASA suggests. You should also give yourself as many as 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark.
- Source: NASA: Quadrantids
The Next Total Solar Eclipse Will Be the Last Until 2044, NASA Says
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Whether you’re a casual stargazer or a devoted amateur astronomer, there’s no denying that there’s something special about witnessing a rare celestial event like a solar eclipse. Besides the fact that they only occur a few times each decade, getting a good view can come down to where you live having the right weather conditions. If you’d love to witness a solar eclipse anytime soon, you may want to mark off your calendars. NASA says the next one will be the last you can see from the U.S. until 2044. Read on for more info on how to catch this unique event.
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If catching a major cosmic event has been an item on your bucket list, you might want to grab your calendar . On Apr. 8, 2024, North America will have front-row seats to a total solar eclipse for the first time since 2017. But besides being a relatively rare event in and of itself, this will also be the last opportunity to view a full eclipse from within the contiguous United States until Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.
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Even though many areas across the U.S. will be treated to at least a partial eclipse, only places that are in the total eclipse’s direct path will get to experience the moon entirely blocking out the sun . The first sight of totality on the continent will start on Mexico’s Pacific Coast before it becomes visible stateside around noon in Texas, according to NASA. From there, the path will continue north through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before leaving the U.S. in the late afternoon.
Viewers in Canada will be able to experience the eclipse as it begins its path through Southern Ontario and eventually makes its way through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse will disappear from North America as it passes off the East Coast of Canada in the early evening.
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So long as weather conditions remain favorable, part of what makes the experience of a total solar eclipse so special is the truly unique conditions it can create for those in its path. During the initial partial eclipse phase—or for those watching in areas outside of the total eclipse’s path—viewers will first notice a crescent blocking out part of the sun as the moon slightly covers the star while wearing the appropriate safety glasses, according to NASA.
For a few fleeting moments before the sun is covered, spectators might also be able to catch sight of Baily’s Beads, which are glimmers of light that form bright spots as sunlight passes through crags, craters, and valleys on the moon. A sharp, bright spot on the edge of the moon’s shadow known as the “diamond ring” will then appear, named for its resemblance to a sparkling piece of jewelry.
The moment the sun is completely blocked out is known as “totality,” marking the only point of the experience you can watch directly without protective glasses. Spectators might be able to make out different parts of the sun’s atmosphere, including a pink ring created by the star’s chromosphere or rays of white light from the corona. But while the view above is spectacular, sights on the ground can be just as surreal as conditions can create “a 360-degree sunset,” planets and bright stars can become briefly visible, the air temperature can drop, and “often an eerie silence will settle around you,” NASA describes.
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If you’re already excited to catch a glimpse of the rare celestial event for the last time until 2044, it might not be a bad idea to start preparing for the experience. Arguably most importantly, NASA warns you’ll need the correct specially designed safe solar viewing glasses or handheld viewer to actually be able to see it . Otherwise, you’ll need to use an indirect viewing technique, such as a pinhole projector.
“Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing,” the space agency warns, clarifying that normal sunglasses won’t offer sufficient protection. “Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.”
And besides ensuring you have the proper equipment, you might also want to consider arranging a place to stay if you have to travel to witness the event. Cities along the path of totality will likely see a large influx of tourists scooping up available lodging, with Ross saying organizers expect anywhere between 375,000 to 500,000 people to descend upon Rochester alone.
“We’ve been starting to spread the word really since 2019 by meeting and also kind of designating everyone as an eclipse ambassador, so everyone watching right now, get ready because all of your out-of-town relatives are coming here [and] they’re gonna want to stay in your house,” Ross told WROC.
8 Best Destinations for the Next (and Rare) Total Solar Eclipse
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The chance to witness a total solar eclipse is rare enough that it remains a bucket list item for many people. After all, these events require a combination of being in the right place at the right time and having the correct conditions to actually see them. Since the next eclipse will be the last visible from North America until 2044 , many are making plans well ahead of the event on Apr. 8, 2024, to secure front-row seats.
The hype has created a mad dash for accommodations in locations along the path of totality , which will start in Texas and run across 13 states through Maine, according to NASA. In some places, basic hotel rooms are going for five to seven times their typical rates—including some listed well above $1,000 for a night, The New York Times reports.
The pinch is even being felt in the short-term home rental market, with some avid eclipse chasers saying supply has been dwindling even months in advance. Others reported finding decent rates, only to have hosts cancel their reservations and demand a higher price point for the occasion, The Times reports.
Some experts have recommended finding lodging within an hour’s drive of the path of totality to avoid a price crunch. But others still warn that the expected crowds will likely bring traffic jams along with them on the big day.
“It’s a little bit like going to a big sporting event where people take their time getting in but everybody wants to leave at the same time,” Scott Katsinas , a travel adviser at Katsinas Travel Consultants in Arizona, told The Times .
But even as accommodations run thin in some places, there’s still hope for those who want to experience the event for themselves. Local tourism boards have collected resources for eclipse chasers with options along the path of totality for the big day. Read on for the best destinations for watching the next total solar eclipse in 2024.
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If you’re looking to get a head start on eclipse viewing, Dallas is likely your best bet. The Texas metropolis is not only the largest city in the path of totality but also the first major U.S. destination to experience the event as partial coverage begins at 12:23 p.m. CDT, according to the Perot Museum.
Besides the city’s ample hotel rooms, there are other perks to picking the Lone Star State for catching the eclipse: Experts point out that it’s the place that’s statistically most likely to have clear weather in April when the event occurs, according to travel news outlet The Points Guy.
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If you want to get the most out of your eclipse experience, Indianapolis may be one of your better options. The Indiana capital is near the center of the path of totality, creating a full coverage time of three minutes and 46 seconds, according to the local tourism board. The city will also host NASA at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, providing experts to answer questions and host a live broadcast of the event.
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Lake Placid may have the rare distinction of having hosted the Winter Olympics twice, but 2024 will mark the first time in recorded history the Adirondack locale will experience a total eclipse. The town is planning to welcome visitors with activities and events throughout the Olympic Legacy Sites, providing the opportunity to take in the rare event while surrounded by the region’s famous natural beauty.
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Those still searching for a spot to catch the eclipse might want to consider Cleveland . The Ohio city is near the center of the path of totality and will experience full coverage for nearly four minutes on Apr. 8, according to the city’s tourism board. Visitors can also look forward to locally hosted events and festivities marking the occasion.
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Arkansas provides another chance to combine natural beauty with the total solar eclipse. Little Rock is just one of the cities in the state with hotel rooms and accommodations to handle the crowds, with the partial eclipse beginning on the earlier side for the U.S. at 12:33 p.m. CDT and finishing at 3:11 p.m., according to NASA.
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The U.S. isn’t the only country that will be able to glimpse the eclipse next April: Mexico and Canada will also be on the path of totality. Montreal stands out among these international options for its easy access by flights, ample number of hotel rooms and lodging options, and plenty to see and experience outside of the eclipse itself.
According to the Canadian Space Agency, visitors in the Quebec locale can expect to see full coverage for one minute and 28 seconds, which marks the last time the province will see one until 2106.
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The Green Mountain state provides plenty of reasons to visit year-round, but the 2024 eclipse is a compelling addition to the list. The event marks the first time Vermont has experienced totality since 1932 , according to the state’s tourism board. Those staying in Burlington can expect full sun coverage for about three minutes and will have access to hotels and other lodging in the area.
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If you’re looking to be among the last in the U.S. to catch sight of the last eclipse until 2044, picking Maine as your viewing locale is the only option. The path of totality crosses the northern half of the state, with full coverage beginning in the small town of Caribou at 3:32 p.m. EDT, according to NASA. After that, the eclipse will pass through the Canadian maritime provinces before ending its traverse of North America and finishing over the Atlantic Ocean.
