Quadrantid meteor shower to light up northern hemisphere sky

Annual new year event of bright blue fireballs expected to peak this weekend

While fireworks are a traditional way to welcome the new year, a natural phenomenon will be lighting up the northern sky this weekend as the annual Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak.

Taking its name from a now obsolete constellation known as Quadrans Muralis, the event is best viewed in the northern hemisphere, with the meteors appearing to radiate from the constellation Bootes, which is found near the collection of stars often dubbed the Plough or the Big Dipper.