Quadrantids meteor shower 2019: When, where and how to watch the spectacular display in the UK

Jacob Jarvis2 January 2019

Stargazers are set to be dazzled by the first meteor shower of 2019 this week.

The Quadrantids meteor shower will sparkle across the sky with around 50 to 100 visible meteors each hour at its height.

It is renowned for its sharp peak of just a few hours, usually around six, which delights onlookers each year.

Generally it is the most visible to people in the northern hemisphere, meaning those across the UK could have some of the best views.

People are encouraged to head away from built up areas to see the meteors
ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images

When is it?

The peak is between 12am and dawn on Friday, according to the Royal Observatory.

Compared to most other similar spectacles, the Quadrantids shower peaks for a relatively short time.

File Photo: A composite image shoes Perseid meteors fly over the Rocky Mountains in the USA
AFP/Getty/StanHonda

“Most meteor showers have a two day peak, which makes catching sight of these other meteors much more possible.

"The Quadrantids peak, on the other hand, is much shorter—only a few hours,” according to Nasa.

It suggests it should take around 30 minutes for eyes to adjust

The Quadratid shower has a peak which last for a few hours
NurPhoto via Getty Images

Where to watch?

As with all meteor showers, straying away from street lights helps make it easier to view the shooting stars.

Nasa recommends “an area well away from city or street lights”.

However, even in dark conditions, your eyes will need to adjust to be able to see them clearly.

Geminids Meteor Shower - In pictures

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“Hunting for meteors, like the rest of astronomy, is a waiting game, so it's best to bring a comfy chair to sit on and to wrap up warm as you could be outside for a while.

“They can be seen with the naked eye so there's no need for binoculars or a telescope, though you will need to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark,” says advice from the Royal Observatory.

Where in the sky should I look?

The meteors appear in the north east of the sky and look as though they originate from the constellation Boötes, also known as the Big Dipper.

However, it is not necessarily a must to find the main point to see the sparkling objects.

It is expected to be a mostly clear sky across the UK, according to the Met Office, which would make it easier to view.

“The constellation is not the source of the meteors. Also, you should not look only to the constellation of Bootes to view the Quadrantids -- they are visible throughout the night sky,” according to Nasa.

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