Being a fan of winter meteor showers requires a lot of hope and patience. There are plenty of opportunities to be wowed by the celestial displays, but there also are plenty of clouds.
However, if the weather cooperates, the Quadrantid meteor shower will reach its peak Thursday night and Friday morning. Considered an above-average shower, the Quadrantids can have up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. Even though the shower peaks later in the week, meteors can be visible from Tuesday through Saturday.
Also effecting the viewing, a near-last-quarter moon will hide many of the fainter meteors with its glare. The best viewing will be at a dark location after midnight. Look for meteors radiating from the constellation Bootes.
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