Quiz Time: Meteor Shower Trivia!

Eta Aquariids are best viewed in the pre-dawn hours. This is because during this time, the radiant point of the meteor shower, which is the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate, is highest in the sky. Additionally, the pre-dawn hours are usually darker and have less light pollution, making it easier to see the meteors. Viewing the Eta Aquariids in the late night, dawn, or evening may still be possible, but the pre-dawn hours offer the best chance of seeing a higher number of meteors.

The Orionids meteor shower occurs annually in October, with its peak typically happening around October 21st. During this time, the Earth passes through the debris left behind by Halley's Comet, resulting in a higher frequency of meteors visible in the night sky. Therefore, October 21st is the correct date for the peak of the Orionids.

The zenithal hourly rate of Geminids is 120. This refers to the number of meteors that an observer could expect to see per hour under ideal conditions, with the radiant point (the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate) directly overhead. A higher zenithal hourly rate indicates a more active meteor shower.

William F. Denning observed the Ursids around the start of the 20th century.

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The velocity of the Taurids is 28km/s.

Leonids occur from November 6 to November 30. This meteor shower is associated with the comet Tempel-Tuttle and is known for its periodic storms, where the rate of meteors can significantly increase. During this time, Earth passes through the debris left behind by the comet, causing the particles to burn up in the atmosphere and create the meteor shower.

The Quadrantids meteor shower is known for its peak activity on January 3rd each year. This is the date when the shower reaches its maximum intensity, with the highest number of meteors visible in the sky. Therefore, January 3rd is the correct answer for the date of the peak of Quadrantids.

Lyrids have a relatively short orbital period of 415 years. This means that it takes approximately 415 years for the Lyrids meteor shower to complete one orbit around its parent comet, Thatcher. The Lyrids meteor shower occurs annually in April when the Earth passes through the debris left behind by Comet Thatcher during its orbit.

The correct answer is 16 because the zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) refers to the number of meteors an observer would see under ideal conditions with the radiant point directly overhead (zenith). The Southern Delta Aquariids meteor shower typically has a ZHR of around 16, meaning that an observer would expect to see around 16 meteors per hour during the peak of the shower.