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Meteor Shower

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2013 Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peak: When and Where to Watch

The first meteor shower of 2013 begins Tuesday over the skies of Alexandria.

They may not be as impressive as the fireworks over the Potomac River for New Year's, but there will be another sky show starting tonight.  The Quadrantid meteor shower is named for an extinct constellation, but the shooting stars that seem to sprout from it still arrive yearly, and the opening of the 2013 show will begin overnight Jan. 1 into Jan. 2. The Quadrantids is one of the lesser-known meteor showers of the year, but that doesn't mean it's anything less than spectacular. Take a look at this Quadrantids meteor shower video or these pictures of the Quadrantids. While the shower begins overnight on the first day of the new year, NASA tells us Quadrantid meteor shower peaks in the wee morning hours of Jan. 3. Unfortunately, the moon …

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Orionids Meteor Shower 2012: Where to Watch in Del Ray

Shooting stars from the Orionids meteor shower will be flying early in the morning next week over Del Ray.

Earth will pass through a stream of debris from Halley's Comet beginning this Monday, which means Alexandria skywatchers will get to see the annual Orionids meteor shower. The meteor shower will build throughout the week and peak the night of Oct. 20. If you live on a well-lit area, such as right along Mount Vernon Avenue, you may want to go someplace a little bit darker. The field next to George Washington Middle School would be a good place to catch the shower, or perhaps the church parking lot across Russell Road from Alexandria Country Day School.  Space.com has these viewing tips: Get as far away from city and other artificial lights as possible. Meteor showers are best viewed in really dark skies. Try to keep the moon out of your …

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