January Quadrantid Meteor Shower 2013 Peak: When to Watch

The first meteor shower of 2013 begins Tuesday over the skies of the Lehigh Valley

The Quadrantid meteor shower is named for an extinct constellation, but the shooting stars that seem to sprout from it still arrive yearly, and the opening of the 2013 show will begin overnight Jan. 1 into Jan. 2. The Quadrantids is one of the lesser-known meteor showers of the year, but that doesn't mean it's anything less than spectacular. Take a look at this Quadrantids meteor shower video or these pictures of the Quadrantids. While the shower begins overnight on the first day of the new year, NASA tells us Quadrantid meteor shower peaks in the wee morning hours of Jan. 4: "[T]he Quadrantids have a maximum rate of about 100 per hour, varying between 60-200. The waxing gibbous moon will set around 3 a.m. local time, leaving about two …

•  5 Comments
• Videos (1)

Jennifer Rodgers

8:42 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013

If you take pictures, Morgen, we'd love to post them on Patch!   more ›

The Geminid Meteor Shower: When, Where, and How to Photograph

The Geminids are set to peek on Dec. 13 or Dec. 14.

Want to try to capture a photo of a meteor shower? First you need to ascertain when the meteor show will be at its peek. The Geminid meteor shower 2012, the final major meteor shower of every year and likely to be the best, peaks overnight Dec. 13 and Dec. 14. You may be able to see a great show on either side of those dates. Earthsky.org reports the Geminids peak might be around 2 a.m. on Dec. 13 and 14, because that’s when the shower’s radiant point is highest in the sky as seen around the world. "With no moon to ruin the show, 2012 presents a most favorable year for watching the grand finale of the meteor showers," Earthsky reports. "Best viewing of the Geminids will probably be from about 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. on December 14." NASA reports …

• Photos (1)

The Spectacular Geminid Meteor Shower 2012 Peak: When to Watch

The most reliable meteor shower of the year, the Geminids, is on its way—with no moon to obscure the show over Salisbury.

The Geminid meteor shower 2012, the final major meteor shower of every year and likely to be the best, peaks overnight Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, and you may be able to see a great show on either side of those dates. If you liked the Perseids meteor shower 2012 in August, you should love this show. NASA reports that the Geminids are a relatively young meteor shower, with the first sitings occurring in the 1830s with rates of about 20 per hour. Over the decades the rates have increased, regularly spawning between 80 and 120 per hour at its peak on a clear evening. How spectacular is it? Just take a look at this video of the Geminid meteor shower. You can also look at some spectacular photos of the Geminids. Earthsky.org reports the Geminids peak …

• Photos (1)

When Will The Geminids Meteor Shower Be Visible?

The Geminids meteor shower will have more than 50 meteors fall per hour, or almost a meteor a minute.

As you hang holiday lights and light the candles, cast your gaze upon the universe's natural fireworks, as well. The Geminid Meteor Shower is expected to begin Dec. 13. Be sure to schedule a night this season to bundle up, lay-out some blankets and enjoy the light show in the sky.  Don't have access to a telescope? The Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society (LVAAS) invites you and your family to attend any monthly public star party. Hear a Night Sky Network talk about NASA missions and space science topics. See a planetarium show and look through observatory telescopes at the moon, planets and deep sky objects (weather permitting). All members of the general public are invited to LVAAS Star Party Events!!  It's a great way to learn …

• Photos (1)

Shooting Stars to Light Up the Sky Tonight

The Orionids meteor shower tonight promises to be a show worth watching in the skies over Salisbury.

Shooting Stars to Light Up the Sky

The Orionids meteor shower promises to be a show worth watching in the skies over Salisbury.

The offspring of Halley's Comet are about to put on quite a show in the skies over the Lehigh Valley. Earth will pass through a stream of debris from Halley's Comet beginning Oct. 15, which will give us the benefit of the annual Orionids meteor shower—though you probably won't see much until a bit later. The majority of readers should have a nice, unobstructed view from their own backyard for the show. The shower should be at its peak the night of Saturday, Oct. 20, until just before dawn on Oct. 21. This year, the moon will be setting at approximately midnight, which will keep the sky darkened enough that—barring cloud cover—you should be able to see up to 15 meteors per hour. What makes this shower so cool? First of all, c'mon—it's a …

• Photos (1)