Astronomical Events Information | 2016 | January
Quadrantid Meteor Shower
Let's observe the first meteor shower of 2016!
The Quadrantid meteor shower (Note) is considered one of the 3 major meteor showers of the year, along with the Perseids in August and the Geminids in December.
In contrast with the Perseids or the Geminids, which consistently have many meteors appear each year, the Quadrantids are known to be short, with the period of increased activity lasting only several hours, and the number of meteors is variable from year to year.
This year, the peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower is predicted to occur at 17:00 on January 4. The best conditions for observations will occur around 2:00-3:00 before dawn on the 5th, but the maximum is offset from this time period. In addition, after midnight there will be effects from moonlight. Even the times when the Quadrantids have many meteors, only about 15 per hour can be expected.
(Note) The Quadrantids take their name from the constellation Quadrans Muralis, which is no longer recognized.