MANILA – The public could witness the first meteor shower beginning 6 p.m. Thursday.
According to the weather bureau's website, the Quadrantid meteor shower will peak around 6 p.m., while "the best displays will be after the radiant rises on Jan. 5 before sunrise".
This will be visible to anyone without the use of a binocular or telescope.
"To enjoy its view, wait until its radiant, located in Bootes, rises above the northeastern horizon around 1:10 a.m.," the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
It added that meteor showers can better be viewed in dark locations far from city lights and with clear and moonless sky.
Up to 120 meteors per hour can be observed in clear and dark location.
Meteor showers, according to PAGASA, can be observed from December 12 to January 12, but the peak -- often the strongest of the year -- is occurring on Jan. 4.
When meteoroids enter the earth's atmosphere at high speed and burn up, they produce fireballs or shooting stars called meteors.
According to NASA, meteor showers happen annually or at regular intervals as the earth passes through the trail or dusty debris from a comet.
Meteor showers are named after a star or constellation close to where they appear in the sky. (PNA)
