Colorado is in Luck When Viewing Peak Quadrantid Meteor Shower

Look out, Colorado. Late tonight you can view one of the best annual "night shows" in this part of the galaxy. When it comes to viewing conditions, it appears we may be in luck.

The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks late tonight (Friday) and early tomorrow. Look up and check out the bright, fireball meteors. What will you need to see this awesome show? The list is as follows:

• Clear skies

Yep, that's it. As luck would have it, that is what we're going to have in Colorado. According to the National Weather Service, tonight's skies over the Grand Junction area will be "mostly clear."

According to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website, “The International Meteor Organization (IMO) is projecting that the Quadrantid meteor shower will peak around 1 a.m. Saturday.”  The website adds, “AccuWeather predicts that most of Colorado, including the eastern plains, will have good viewing conditions for the shower.”

Okay, so where do we watch for these things? According to EarthSky, the radiant point of the Quadrantid shower makes an approximate right angle with the Big Dipper and the bright star Arcturus. It's times like these I wish I had paid more attention in Astronomy class. A stargazer I'm not. With a little luck, I might figure it out.

How about that? Only three days into the new year, and we're already getting a free show. Like Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The sky is the ultimate art gallery just above us.” One thing to keep in mind, though. Tonight's low temperature in the Grand Junction area is going to be 18 degrees. That's not exactly swimming weather. Dress warm, find a spot with the least light pollution, and enjoy.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app