Early each January, the Quadrantid meteor stream provides one of the most intense annual meteor displays, with a brief, sharp maximum lasting only a few hours. For this reason, many stargazing guides make reference to this display as being particularly elusive.

The first meteor shower of the New Year also has the potential to be one of the year's best – if the weather cooperates. But astronomers lament that the Quadrantid meteors tend to fall short of expectations due to the comparatively short length of their maximum activity and the obscuring wintry conditions of early January.

While most meteor showers originate from comets, the Quadrantids come from asteroid 2003 EH1 — a small asteroid that was discovered on March 6, 2003. The Quadrantids are also known for their bright fireball meteors, with larger explosions of light and color that can last longer than an average meteor streak, according to NASA.