APOD 2.8

Lighthouse and Meteor
2012 January 8

This picture shows a meteor from the Quadrantid meteor, named after a constellation that no longer exists. In the early 19th-century it was logged as Quadrans Muralis, when the Astronomical Union adopted the new eighty-eight constellation system it became part of Bootes. This makes the distinction between the Quadrantid and Bootes meteor showers important, since they occur in January and June respectively. Unfortunately the asteroid that gives off these meteors  (2003 EH1) mostly dim meteors in an even dimmer part of the sky. Maybe we will catch some at tomorrow's astronomy night.