The Quadrantid meteor shower 2024 peaks tonight alongside a bright moon
At greatest activity, 60 to 120 meteors per hour have been reported during the Quadrantids.
The Quadrantid meteor shower actually radiate from the northeast corner of the constellation of Boötes, the Herdsman, so we might expect them to be called the "Boötids."
As viewed from mid-northern latitudes, we have to get up before dawn to see the Quadrantids at their best.
This year will be a favorable year to watch for the peak of this meteor display across much of North America.
According to meteor experts, Margaret Campbell-Brown and Peter Brown in the 2024 Observer's Handbook of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, the peak of this year's shower is predicted for 4 a.m. Eastern Time or 1 a.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, Jan. 4.
Under a clear dark sky, meteor rates of 60 or more per hour might be possible for Easterners, while somewhat lower numbers should be expected for those in the Far West.