Every beginning of the year, during the first days of , the cosmos receives a small meteor shower. Little admired due to its low activity, but no less important than the other meteor showers, The Alpha Centaurids are positioned as the most mysterious meteors of the year.
We know that many of them occur thanks to planets crossing remains of cosmic dust released by an asteroid, comet or some other space object. However, in the case of the Alpha Centaurids, it is not known exactly what they come from. So far it is only known that its stars have the constellation of Centaurus as their radiant, hence its name, but there is no further information.
When to see the Alpha Centaurid meteor shower?
The activity of the Alpha Centaurids begins at the end of January and continues until mid-February, with its maximum peak during the first days of this last month. During 2023 it will be the early morning of February 8 when the maximum peak of the meteors will occur.
According to him, the meteor shower began on January 28 and will continue until February 21, being on February 8 between 2:00 and 5:00 am the indicated time to capture them in the sky.
Although the meteor rate of the Alpha Centaurids is considered to be about six meteors per hour, some lucky ones are able to observe their passage.
How to locate the Alpha Centaurid shower?
The secret to viewing meteors in Mexico and America is the location. First you should consider being in the southern hemisphere, since the radiant of this shower becomes more visible in the south of the planet.
In the United States and Mexico, the constellation may not be as visible, so observing the meteors will be a little more complicated. If you are located in the southern hemisphere, then you are lucky and the Alpha Centaurids will be visible.
Another important recommendation is to find an area without much light pollution. The darker the environment, the more likely you are to see meteors. It will also be necessary to give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to get used to it and perceive the meteors more easily.
Once you have these recommendations covered, then it will be time to locate the constellation of Centaurus. You can help yourself to know exactly where it is located and not miss this rain at all.
Whether it’s a big meteor shower or a small one, the cosmos always offers us opportunities to immerse ourselves in the magic of its phenomena. Let’s not take the stars for granted and take a moment from our busy routines to connect with everything that sails through space.
If you have the opportunity to capture the Alpha Centaurid meteors then do it, with every cosmic event there is something new to learn and discover and this meteor shower is no exception.