April 24, 2024

Athens News

News in English from Greece

On the night of January 3 to 4, the first “starfall” in 2022

The new astronomical year begins, as always, with the rain of the Quadrantids.

They will peak this year in Greece and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere on the night of Monday, January 3rd to 4th, at about 10:40 pm Greek time. Up to 120 falling meteors can be seen from the ground in an hour.

According to the British Royal Astronomical Society, the starfall may even be the best of the year, as conditions will be ideal for observing, since January 2 will be a new moon, so the night sky will be dark.

Observers should try not to miss them: the duration of the starfall peak is very short – only about six hours. But there is also a plus: the stream mostly includes faint meteors with an average speed. Although on rare occasions the lucky ones also observe bright fireballs.

The Star Show is best seen after midnight. Experts recommend using the Big Dipper, which is part of the constellation Ursa Major, as a reference point.





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