January Night Sky

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 January 3 - 4.  Some shooting stars associated with the shower began on January 1^st and will continue thru January 4^th.  It is short-lived, with a very narrow peak 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.  You'll have competition from a nearly full moon appearing on January 6 so if you rise early and wait for the moon to set before dawn that might help 

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.

Raising a New Year toast to clear, winter night skies and viewing the heavens...