According to Popular Science, the Quadrantids meteor shower has a predicted peak in the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 3 and Thursday, January 4.

From their article:

While it is not as dramatic as December’s Geminids or July’s Persieds, the Quadrantids can produce over 100 meteors per hour under a dark sky without a bright moon. It is also known for producing the occasional fireball. 

According to NASA, “fireballs are larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak. This is due to the fact that fireballs originate from larger particles of material. Fireballs are also brighter, with magnitudes brighter than -3.”

The publication recommends 1:00am for best viewing.

Fun Facts: 2024 is a leap year, and the first full moon of the year is called the Wolf Moon in reference to hungry packs of wolves that prowl during the winter months. The first full moon of 2024 rises on January 25.

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