Quadrantid Meteor Shower Visible In Texas On January 3 4 2020

We’re about to enter a new decade, and what better way to welcome it than with an explosive meteor shower? The Quadrantids are set to light up the Texas night sky on January 3-4, 2020, and it’s one of the most spectacular celestial events of the year.

Quadrans Muralis, the shower’s namesake, was a large constellation first recognized in 1795. It has since been omitted after the International Astronomical Union compiled an official constellation list.

Wikipedia / Library of Congress, Digital ID: cph.3g10076

Despite its discontinuation, Quadrans Muralis is still the namesake of the Quadrantid meteor shower. Occurring in early January, it’s the first major celestial event of the year.

Flickr/wakanmuri

Peaking in the overnight hours of January 3, the shower boasts up to 120 meteors per hour. This is a rate comparable to both the Perseids and Geminids, however the Quadrantids have a much narrower viewing window.

Flickr/l1mey

Along with the Geminids, the Quadrantids are the only other meteors that don’t originate from a comet. Instead, they are thought to be caused by an asteroid called 2003 EH, which takes about 5.5 years to orbit the Sun.

Flickr/gsfc

We’ll enjoy excellent visibility here in Texas, so this is a rare opportunity you definitely don’t want to miss.

Flickr/wbakal

No telescopes or binoculars are necessary to view the Geminids. Instead, find a remote spot away from city lights - such as Guadalupe Mountains National Park - lay on the ground, and enjoy a panoramic view of the expansive night sky.

Flickr/Michael Villavicencio

Can you imagine a better start to the new decade? We certainly can’t.

Flickr/dshortey

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