The Quadrantids are an annual meteor shower that is a
consequence of Earth passing through the debris field of a crumbling comet some
500 years ago. If you have an opportunity to witness this
event - depending upon your location - it has the potential of producing as many as 60 to 200 shooting stars an hour.
For those of us in North America the
Quadrantids will reach its maximum rate of activity tonight - January 3. Some shooting stars associated with the
shower began on January 1st and will continue thru
January 4th. It is short-lived yet has big potential.
Observing the
show on the peninsula requires a location with little light pollution and a
view towards the north-northeast between the North Star and the Big Dipper. Fortuitously, this month's New Moon began yesterday and will help keep skies dark.
You do not necessarily need to locate the radiant to observe the meteor shower as the shooting stars will appear in all parts of the night sky. Viewing prospects for your own location can be found here.
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