Guide to 2014 Meteor Showers: The Quadrantids Peak First

By Todd Richissin

Fireworks will fly in the skies over Elmhurst on New Year's Eve, and they'll have nothing to do with the holiday.

The Quadrantids, the last meteor shower of 2013 — and the first of 2014 — begins Dec. 28, with the meteor shower peak set for Jan. 3. 

As of Monday, the forecast for the Chicago area is snow Tuesday-Thursday. So your best chance for clear skies for viewing might be Monday night and Friday.

NASA's list of 2014 meteor showers says to expect about 80 meteors per hour at the peak, which comes with a new moon setting early — meaning a dark sky for the show.

• Photos of the Quadrantid meteor shower.

The radiant will be located in the northern tip of the constellation Bootes, meaning only observers living in the northern hemisphere will be able to see this meteor shower in the night sky. 

• NASA's Live Ustream Feed of the Quadrantid Meteor Shower.