Overview
- The January full Moon coincided with lunar perigee, making it a supermoon that appeared slightly larger and brighter than average.
- The Quadrantids peaked on Jan. 3 between roughly 4 and 7 p.m. ET, with practical viewing from midnight to dawn, but moonlight suppressed most faint meteors.
- Scientists note the Quadrantids originate from asteroid 2003 EH1, and under ideal dark skies they can reach about 80–120 meteors per hour.
- Mexico’s UNAM cautioned that the full Moon would strongly hinder viewing across much of the country, though a few meteors were still possible from darker northwest locales with proper dark adaptation.
- Observers were advised to seek dark sites, face away from the Moon, and scan broadly, with improved conditions expected near the Jan. 18 new Moon after Jupiter reaches opposition on Jan. 10.