The year 2018 will be a hard one to view the annual Quadrantid meteor shower as its peak tonight (Wednesday, Jan. 3) will come just after the full moon overnight on Jan. 1 and 2. That Full Wolf moon will be a supermoon, the largest and brightest of 2018, with the moon's brilliant light likely outshining all but the brightest Quadrantids.
According to long-time meteor observer Robert Lunsford of the American Meteor Society, the Quadrantids run from Dec. 22 to Jan. 17, with a sharp peak on Jan. 3. That means that outside the peak time — which occurs during daylight or late afternoon hours for observers in North America — meteor rates may be low. [Amazing Quadrantid Meteor Shower Photos by Stargazers]
According to this January skywatching guide released by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope mission team, the 2018 Quadrantids could offer up to 40 meteors per hour overnight on Jan. 3 and 4.
When to see them
The Quadrantid meteor shower is not as well-known as other meteor showers like the Geminids or Orionids, because the meteors are fainter and easier to miss. However, they can produce fireballs with giant, glowing tails highlighting the meteors' paths across the sky.
The 2018 Quadrantids are expected to peak at 4 p.m. EST (2100 GMT), according to EarthSky.org, which cited the Observer's Handbook 2018 published by the Royal Astronomical Society in Canada. Lunsford pegs the peak time as around 3 p.m. EST (2000 GMT). Since these peak time forecasts occur during daylight hours, the best time for skywatchers to look for the Quadrantids will be overnight on Jan. 3 and 4, with the most meteors visible in the last hour before dawn.
Lunsford forecasts average viewing rates of about 11 sporadic meteors per hour (that's lower than the Hubble telescope guide's forecast) in the last hour before dawn for observers in rural areas.
To find the radiant, you will need to look for the constellation Bootes. The easiest way to find it is to look north for the Big Dipper. Then, follow the "arc" of the Big Dipper's handle across the sky to the red giant star Arcturus, which anchors the bottom of Bootes.
If you happen to catch the shower at an off-peak moment, rates of about 25 meteors per hour are still expected. In the past, Lunsford has recommended keeping Bootes in your field of view, but looking slightly away so that you catch the meteors with the longer tails.
Where do they come from?
The Quadrantids are thought to be associated with asteroid 2003 EH1, which is likely an extinct comet, NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke has told Space.com. "It was either a piece of a comet or a comet itself, and then it became extinct," which means that all the ice and other volatiles on the comet have evaporated, he said.
The asteroid has a perihelion (closest approach to the sun) just inside the Earth's orbit, which is pretty far away in celestial terms. Scientists also think that the asteroid may have some connection to the Comet 96P/Machholtz, a comet that orbits the sun once every six years. First observations of the Quadrantids shower appear to be in Europe in the 1820s and 1830s. [How Meteor Showers Work (Infographic)]
How to get the best view
Binoculars and telescopes are not useful for meteor showers; your eyes are enough to see the shooting stars streaking overhead. Find a dark sky and give your eyes about 20-30 minutes to adjust.
Dress warmly and face a little away from the radiant in Bootes to catch the longer-streaking meteors.
Editor's note: If you captured an amazing photo of video of the Ja2018 Quadrantid meteor shower and would like to share it with Space.com for a story or gallery, send images and comments to: spacephotos@space.com.
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