West Seattle Sky Watch: Quadrantids meteor shower tonight

Missed this somehow – until someone just texted to ask about it. There’s a meteor shower out tonight, and we just walked outside to confirm that the sky is – at least right now – mostly clear, so getting a good look is not out of the question. It’s the Quadrantids meteor shower; NASA has lots of information and some live-cam links, here. Their visibility map shows that our area (and everywhere in the “green” zone) should get a good show provided the weather cooperates. Best visibility, says NASA, will start right after moonset, 3 am-ish, and continue till dawn.

BLK January 4, 2012 (12:13 am)

I txted about it. I have a great view of the sky but havent seen anything yet. I have seen some on NASA’s screen!

WSB January 4, 2012 (12:35 am)

Thanks, BLK! I only saw an e-mail address and didn’t recognize it :) otherwise we always give credit where credit’s due. We usually would catch something like this off Twitter, at least, but there was just way too much gab about the Iowa caucuses … any meteor mentions apparently got drowned out!

Diane January 4, 2012 (12:46 am)

Jeff Renner posted this on fb couple hours ago:
Quadrantid meteor shower peaks shortly, around 11:30. Clouds will make seeing any ‘iffy’, though satellite images show a few spots of thinning clouds. Here are a couple of interesting links, the first from NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/watchtheskies/quadrantids_2012.html
Now, an app that allows you to participate in NASA research and ‘count’ meteors:
http://meteorcounter.com/
Have fun, and good luck on finding a meteor!

WSB January 4, 2012 (12:50 am)

Bless Jeff Renner, but NASA says it peaks later. I’ll go with NASA :) Also, as of last time I stepped outside, a surprising amount of clear sky! I believe that first link from NASA is what’s in our story. Hmm, if it’s still going before dawn, then I’ll see it on the flip side when it’s time to get the kid ready for school :)