AROUND the world, the arrival of a new year is more often than not celebrated with a fireworks show - one where people are treated to a display of colour and sound.
What might make it more special is when nature itself joins in by bringing forth its own show in the sky.
It has been said recently that the first week of 2024 will be marked by a meteor shower visible across the Northern Hemisphere, Malaysia included. Is this true?
Verdict:
TRUE
Yes, this is in fact true as the Quadrantids meteor shower is set to dazzle the skies in the early hours of Jan 3 and Jan 4.
According to the astronomy research website In-the-sky.org, hopeful viewers will have a chance of seeing Quadrantid meteors whenever the shower's radiant point – in the constellation Bootes – is above the horizon.
It adds that the number of visible meteors will increase the higher the radiant point is in the sky, and it also says that the Quadrantids will be visible in Malaysia.
"Seen from Kuala Lumpur, the shower will not be visible before around 3:22am, when its radiant point rises above your eastern horizon. It will then remain active until dawn breaks around 6:54am," says In-the-sky.org.
"The radiant point culminates (is highest in the sky) after dawn and so the shower is likely (to) produce its best displays shortly before dawn, when its radiant point is highest,” it adds.
It goes on to explain that this is because the Earth's rotation turns Kuala Lumpur to face optimally towards the direction of the incoming meteors.
"(This will maximise) the number that rain vertically downwards, producing short trails close to the radiant point," it adds.
With that said, it seems like nature will also be ushering in 2024 and it will be visible if the curtain of rain and clouds pulls back enough at the right time for the Quadrantids to be seen.
References:
1. https://in-the-sky.org/news.
2. https://earthsky.org/
4. https://www.instagram.com/
