Interior BC got a lot of snow for the last 2 weeks, so I decided to drive 450km east to Alberta. It was cool at -28C but it was clear, well worth the drive. I saw 50+ meteors and green lights over Bow River near Castle Mountain Junction on Trans Canada Highway, Banff National Park.

Photo details: Canon 5D Mark II, EF20/2.8

In Japan, the peak of the Quadrantids seems between 01:30~02:00 jst.

Photo details: Nikon D70s (ISO1600) + f20mmF2.8. 30seconds exposure.

While this year Quadrantid meteor shower was not that eye-catching and most meteors were faint, at least at my longitude some hours after the predicted peak, I managed to photograph few nice meteors and one is unique: A meteor in the small field of view of 200mm lens, during a short guided exposure of comet Lulin! The comet is a clear green little halo just above the meteor and close to the bright star Beta Scorpius. The background light is from zodiacal light, and the images is taken only few minutes before the start of astronomical twilight. Lulin might be the best comet in the coming months. It may reach magnitude 3 or 4 with a visual tail in late February. Currently it is at about magnitude 7 and at the limit of naked eye visibility. It will reach below 6 by end of January; an easy naked-eye target under dark skies.

My video sky camera captured the shower last night over Dayton, Ohio USA. The Quads put on a very nice show this year! With some real nice fireballs as well. from 11:00pm until 7:00 am I captured 53 total in just my NorthEast sky cam alone. Although meteors could be seen all night long, the Quadrantid shower did appeared to peak around 6:00am EST.

The QUADRANTIDs did not let me down in Oklahoma. I saw 86 in 66 minutes... well worth the missed sleep. Mild temperatures, light winds and clear skies led to a great display. About 20 percent had a good solid brightness.

Photo details: Nikon D200 30s f/4.0 at 12.0mm iso1600

After more than 10 years we had the opportunity to observe the Quadrantids again. Although timing did not favor observers in Europe, the Quadrantids put on a nice show. Highlight of the night was this beautiful slow moving -3 Quadrantid.

Photo details: Canon 10D and Canon 15mm/2.8 fisheye (@3.5/ISO800).