Quadrantids

[ kwo-dran-tidz ]

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. a collection of meteors comprising a meteor shower Quadrantidmeteorshower visible around January 31 and having its apparent origin in the constellation Boötes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Quadrantids¹

1875–80; < New Latin Quadrant- (stem of Quadrāns, in Quadrāns ( Mūrālis ) (mural) quadrant, obsolete constellation name) + -id ¹ + -s ³

Example Sentences

The Geminids and Quadrantids displays come around in December and January respectively.

From Salon

The first meteor shower you can observe this year will be the Quadrantids, which have been active since Dec. 28 and are forecast to continue until Jan. 12.

From New York Times

The Quadrantids’ maximum activity will happen close to a full moon this year — bad news for those interested in seeing many meteors.

From New York Times

In the case of the Quadrantids, it’s 2003 EH1 — which is probably now a defunct comet, according to NASA.

From Washington Post

The Quadrantids shower peaked earlier this month and another, the Lyrids, will be active in April, according to Griffith Observatory.

From Los Angeles Times