Quadrantid meteor shower 2023 4th (Wednesday) at dawn What’s the weather like? – Weather news

2023/01/03 06:08 Weather news

After the date changes tonight, the Quadrantid meteor shower, one of the three major meteor showers, will reach its peak from dawn to dawn on Wednesday, April 4.

The number of meteor showers will be highest at dawn on the 4th (Wednesday).

What’s the weather like at dawn from tonight to 4th (Wed)?

From tonight until dawn tomorrow, the winter-type atmospheric pressure pattern will continue, and the weather distribution on the Sea of ​​Japan side is likely to be susceptible to cold air. In northern Japan on the Sea of ​​Japan side and Hokuriku, the night sky is covered with clouds, making it difficult to observe meteors.

It is a chance to expect a clear night sky in the area on the Pacific side. Kanto and Kansai are also likely to be able to observe meteors. Around Nagoya, clouds may flow in from the Sea of ​​Japan side.

If you stay still outdoors, your body will cool down more quickly than you might imagine, so please wear as much cold protection as possible during your observations.

How many meteors can we expect?

Around 3:00 on Wednesday, January 4 Northeast sky seen from Tokyo

The radiant point

of the Quadrantid meteor shower begins to rise in the sky following 22:00, and the meteors start to flow following the date changes. After that, as the radiant point rises higher, it becomes easier for meteors to flow.

The moon sets around 4:00 (in the case of Tokyo) and the radiant point rises towards dawn, which is the best time to see the most meteor showers.

According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, regarding 25 meteors can be seen per hour in the dark sky during this time.

Meteors flow from the direction of the radiant point, but appear anywhere in the sky, not just near the radiant point. It is recommended to observe as wide a view of the sky as possible.

*Radiant point: A point on the celestial sphere from which a shooting star (meteor shower) appears to come out.

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Some of you may not be familiar with the constellation “Quarantine”. Actually, this is derived from a constellation called “Hekimenshibungi”, which does not exist now.

In terms of the present constellations, it was on the boundary between the constellations of Bootes and Draco. The meteor shower appears to have flown from the direction of the former Hekimensipangi, hence the name “Sepianid Meteor Shower”.

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Meteor dust (image)

The dust belt that forms the origin of the Quadrantid meteor shower crosses the Earth’s orbital plane at a nearly right angle, so the Earth passes through the dust belt in a short period of time.

For this reason, the Quadrantid meteor shower is characterized by a shorter active period (period during which many shooting stars can be observed) compared to other meteor showers such as the Geminid meteor shower and the Perseid meteor shower.

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Reference materials, etc.
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan “Hoshizora Information” https://www.nao.ac.jp/astro/sky/

Astroarts “Starry Sky Guide” https://www.astroarts.co.jp/