First meteor shower visible tonight

MANILA, Philippines - Quadrantids, the year’s first major meteor shower, will reach its peak tonight.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the annual Quadrantid meteor shower is usually visible from Jan. 1 to 7.

“The meteors or falling stars could be seen at the rate of at least 40 per hour,” PAGASA said.

Meteors hit the Earth’s atmosphere at the rate of about 40 kilometers per second and last for a few hours.

They radiate from the constellation of Bootes.

Astronomy experts said people in countries along the northern hemisphere, including the Philippines, will get a good view of the meteor shower.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said cooler mornings will continue for the rest of the week.

For the next five days, temperatures will range from 20 to 32 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila; 12 to 24 degrees Celsius in Baguio City and 19 to 29 degrees Celsius in Tagaytay City.

The coldest weather was recorded in Metro Manila and Baguio City last Wednesday at 19.2 and 11.8 degrees Celsius.

State meteorologists have cautioned the public against cold weather-related diseases as temperatures are expected to drop further in the coming weeks.

The northeast monsoon bringing cold air from China and Siberia normally peaks in January and February, PAGASA said.