The first and possibly best meteor shower of 2019 will be visible from Singapore and Malaysia on Friday, Jan. 4, between 4am and 7am.

Best meteor shower in 2019

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) website said the Quadrantids meteor shower is considered one of the best ones of the year.

"Bright fireball meteors" are expected appear at up to 200 an hour.

Science Centre Singapore said those here can expect to witness up to 120 meteors per hour on this particular occasion.

It typically occurs in early January and has a shorter peak than others.

No special equipment

Stargazers in Singapore will be able to view the shower without the use of binoculars or telescopes.

This is provided there is clear weather.

The meteors have been described as being reasonably bright and usually tinted blue. But about 5 to 10 percent leave fine, long-spreading and persistent silver trains.

Places to view meteor shower

"Dark-sky locations" including Mount Faber, Pulau Ubin, Sungei Buloh and Tampines Ecogreen after 4am on Friday.

Science Centre Singapore advised meteor gazers to check the star map.

The shower will appear near the constellations Bootes, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.

"It is advisable to dress for the weather as meteor-watching is a waiting game," it added.

Nasa advised on its website that lying flat on one's back, facing northeast is the way to go.

"In less than 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors."

Staring at the darkened sky for prolonged periods is also advised, as meteors can appear and disappear in a few seconds.

Here is a sky map to check out.