Peak activity is short-lived and very intense, despite the entire show lasting between December 28 last year and January 12 this year.

Don't forget, the #Quadrantids reach their peak between midnight tonight & 2AM GMT tomorrow: http://t.co/alblwQmyPM http://ift.tt/1BtKSMp

— All About Space (@spaceanswers) January 3, 2015

Quadratids consist of larger particles than an average meteor shower, thus causing larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer. Fireballs are also brighter, with “magnitudes brighter than -3,” according to NASA.

The Quadrantid Meteor Shower, the first of the year, peaks this weekend! Re: @SETIInstitute #astronomy #Quadrantid http://ift.tt/1xroTpT

— Astronomy for Teens (@astronoteen) January 3, 2015

The show is best viewed in the northern hemisphere, however, the moon’s prominence in the sky on the night could have a mildly detrimental impact on visibility. The bright moonlight can wash out all but the brightest meteors.

#Quadrantids#meteor shower, #visible 1st - 5th #January, best view will be overnight on the 3rd #MMXV #2K15 http://ift.tt/1xroVOC

— UK Space LABS (@UKSpaceLABS) January 2, 2015

Stargazers have also been advised to stay away from big cities if they want to get the best view – as artificial light pollution can obscure visibility dramatically. To see the meteors one would need to lay on his or her back looking up in the night sky for some 20-30 minutes to let the eyes adapt to the dark.

“Be patient — the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse,” said NASA.

Good news for stargazers! The Quadrantids meteor shower will light the sky in the early hours: http://t.co/zdHnZlr8zQ http://ift.tt/1BtKSMA

— KentSussexCourier (@KSCourier) January 3, 2015

The Quadrantids took their name from a constellation of Quadrans Muralis, which was absorbed into the Boötes constellation in 1922, when the International Astronomical Union defined the present 88 constellations. The name Quadrans Muralis however survives in terms of its meteor shower.

#FF Massively exciting meteor shower at the weekend! @NASA @esa @Sea_and_Sky #quadrantids Hope it stays clear! http://ift.tt/1BtKT2Q

— 65° (@sixtyfivedegree) January 3, 2015