The Qatari Calendar House announced that the residents of Qatar will be able to monitor the Quadrantids meteor shower for this year. It will reach its climax on Monday evening and will extend until the dawn of Tuesday January 4.
Dr Bashir Marzouk, astronomer at the Qatar Calendar House stated that the Quadrantids meteor shower is distinctive because when it falls, it reaches its peak of 80 meteors per hour, according to the estimation of astronomers specializing in meteor observation.
Dr Bashir added that those observing the meteor shower this year would have a good opportunity because the moon will not be present in the sky when observing the meteors on Monday evening. The moon will be in the crescent phase at thebeginning of the month and will set at 5:40pm Doha local time, which makes the sky darker.
What distinguishes meteor showers is that observing them requires only a place far from environmental and light pollution. Therefore, Qatar residents will be able to see and monitor the meteor shower without the need for astronomical devices or telescopes. Instead, they can see and monitor it with the naked eye from Monday evening until dawn. Furthermore, by looking towards the northeastern horizon from midnight until dawn, modern digital cameras can be used to obtain images of the Quadrantids meteors.
It must be taken into account that the best places to see the Quadrantids meteors are the darkest places far from residential areas that contain light and environmental pollutants. The best times to see the Quaternary meteors are from midnight until the next day's dawn.
It is worth noting that comet AH1 is the source of the Quadrantids meteor shower when the Earth moves in its orbit around the sun passing near the dust grains left by the comet during January of each year. These grains intersect with the Earth's atmosphere and a flash occurs.
