Meteor Shower · peak night of 3–4 January
Quadrantids
Night SkyReference data
About the shower
One of the strongest annual showers, but with a very sharp peak lasting only a few hours. The radiant lies in northern Boötes, in the region of the former constellation Quadrans Muralis.
Observing notes
The Quadrantids radiate from Boötes. For the best view, find a dark site away from city lights, let your eyes adapt for 20 minutes, and look up broadly rather than at the radiant itself. The listed rate is an ideal maximum under a dark sky; moonlight and light pollution reduce it. Exact peak dates and Moon interference for a given year require a connected almanac.
In the Knowledge Graph
Sources & references
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- IMOInternational Meteor Organization
Meteor shower activity, radiants, and peak forecasts.