The Quadrantid meteor shower always starts the year for amateur skygazers, arriving annually on January 3 or 4. What is this year’s forecast for the Quadrantid shower? What are our chances for a spectacular 2013 Quadrantid meteor shower in Toronto?

Meet the Quadrantids

The Quadrantid meteor shower deserves an introduction for “where” and “when”.

Where to Look for the Quadrantids? What is the “Radiant”?

The Quadrantids seem to originate “below” the Big Dipper’s handle. So look to the north when this constellation, also known as Ursa Major, is high in the sky.

Once you locate the Big Dipper, visually follow the first two stars in the “handle” that attach to one corner of the “bucket”. Double that distance and you should be looking directly at the “radiant” from which the meteors would seem to originate.

If you follow the curve of the Big Dipper’s handle, the rather bright star Arcturus is a bit farther away. If you can visualize a right-angle triangle among Arcturus, the Big Dipper’s handle/bucket star, and the Quadrantid’s radiant, you have the picture.

When do the 2013 Quadrantids Peak?

Peak activity for the Quadrantid meteor shower always comes when its radiant is at zenith, at its highest point in the night sky.

Unlike some meteor showers, peak activity for the Quadrantid meteors only lasts a few hours. The 2013 Quadrantids are expected to peak over western North America at about 5am on Jan. 3. Those in Vancouver have a good shot at enjoying the Quadrantids in 2013 if they avoid fog or clouds early Thursday.

If this meteor shower is “delayed” a bit, eastern Asia should experience peak activity early in the morning of Jan. 4, 2013.

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(Updated Jan. 3, 2013): The overnight and morning snowfall in Toronto eliminated any chance I had to see the Quadrantids in 2013, although I was awake in plenty of time.

Do I Need Binoculars or a Telescope to Watch a Meteor Shower?

No, there’s no need for a telescope or binoculars to watch for meteors. In fact, you’re better off using your naked eyes (with corrective prescription lenses if you wear glasses or contacts), because you can see a wider area of the night sky. You can also glance over much, much faster than if you had to slew the binoculars to spot the meteor’s trail.

The only special equipment is an alarm clock and warm clothing. I like Roots clothing for Canadian men & women, and recently found the Roots USA site for Americans looking for outdoor apparel.

Since you need to look north, Toronto residents should plan to head north if possible; at least, try to eliminate street lights and skyscrapers from your field of view.

Learn More about the Quadrantid Meteor Shower

Today I used EarthSky‘s “Everything you need to know: Quadrantid meteor shower” for reference.

Looking for More Annual Toronto Events?

Last year the Quadrantid meteor shower counted as a winter event in Toronto, since peak activity was forecast for our skies. For 2013, it’s rather unlikely to expect Quadrantids in Toronto. But I do try to note Toronto events in this blog.

Check the “annual events” or “Toronto events” categories toward the end of the left-hand menu for other fascinating, free or frugal annual events in Toronto.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. However, DeHaan Services does write web site or advertising copy for clients. Our skills are demonstrated in online articles in Decoded Science and other web sites. That’s why DeHaan Services highlight these online articles on this blog page.

(Updated Dec. 30, 2013): Please check “Find Your 2014 New Year Levee in Toronto or in the GTA” for my latest Levée news. The rest of this article pertains to January 2013…

A cheap and cheerful choice for “what to do on New Year’s Day in Toronto” is to attend a levée, a classic winter event in Toronto.

Or think of it as your civic duty. If you don’t attend, then dignitaries, politicians, and their staff would be forced to eat all the snacks themselves.

Be sure to check the “TTC Day Pass” paragraph near the end of the article for an important tip.

The 2013 New Year Levee at Queen’s Park in Toronto

The Honourable David C. Onley will host the Lieutenant Governor’s levee in his suite at Queen’s Park in Toronto from noon to 2pm.

It’s unlikely that anyone will be protesting at College Ave. and Queen’s Park Circle on New Year’s Day 2013. If they do have a presence at the Ontario Legislature on Jan. 1, 2013, I would want to give a word of encouragement to the Idle No More supporters. And maybe mention it to the Lieutenant Governor.

Official details for this vice-regal New Year Levée are in “Lieutenant Governor welcomes all Ontarians to attend annual New Year’s Levee“.

This Toronto levée at Queen’s Park gives you time to nip over to City Hall.

The Toronto Mayor’s Levee at City Hall

Although current Toronto mayor Rob Ford had considered holding a family skating party on the rink at Nathan Philips Square in lieu of the Mayor’s Levée, later he opted for the traditional venue inside City Hall.

Among others, the Toronto Star reported “Traditional mayor’s levee is back on: Jan. 1 at Toronto City Hall” on Dec. 21st. Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said, “City Hall reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 1”.

You could still go skating at Nathan Philips Square on New Year’s Day 2013. I’ve looked at schedule information and found nothing to prevent it. If you’d rather go elsewhere, check the list of skating rinks in my previous article, “Try Skating at Harbourfront for 2012 Kwanzaa in Toronto“. If this report is accurate, you might find the news reporters are relegated to the great outdoors. I’m sure they will be interested in your views; or perhaps you could offer to ask Mayor Ford a question on their behalf.

Regardless of which activity you choose, Toronto City Hall stands on Nathan Philips Square at the corner of Queen St. West and Bay Street.

An Anglican Levee: the Archbishop’s Levee

The Archbishop’s Levée 2013 will be held from 2:30 until about 4pm on Jan. 1st at the Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto. That’s at the corner of King Street East and Church Street.

The “choral evensong service” follows at 4:30pm, according to “The Archbishop’s Levee 2013“. Now that’s something different to do on New Year’s Day.
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Do Toronto City Councillors Hold New Years Levees?

For the second year, I’ve found it difficult to find comprehensive information about levées sponsored by Toronto city councillors. Rather than mention any but ignore others, I’m going to leave this section blank.

My best suggestion is to contact your local councillor about any municipal issue, and provide your e-mail address. Then you will likely learn their levée plans, as well as other useful news items throughout the year.

If you have a local free-thanks-to-advertising newspaper, it’s worth scanning the edition for this type of announcement from your local politicians.

Do Toronto MPs or MPPs Hold New Years Levees?

The same advice applies for federal and provincial politicians: check your local freebie newspaper, or correspondence from your elected representatives.

I did find “North York MPPs host New Year’s levees“. Note that MPPs Kathleen Wynne, Michael Coteau and David Zimmer host their levées on Jan. 5, 13 and 20 respectively.

What’s Up with ‘Levée’ versus ‘Levee’?

The “acute accent” in ‘Levée’ comes from the French spelling. We’d pronounce it “lev-ay” (with emphasis “ay” is in “bay”, eh?).

The New Year’s Day Levée custom is an adaptation from the French monarchy, where a favoured courtier would help His Majesty get up in the morning and freshen up. The English word “levitation” has its roots in ‘Levée’: “risen” or “rise” or “arising”.

It seems that Canadian dignitaries don’t need help getting up in the morning, and are willing to wait until noon or 2pm before hosting a levée.

Similarly, where civil engineers raise a dike to prevent floods, the artifice is a ‘levee’. A typical American pronunciation would be “lev-ee” (as in “tee-hee”, see?).

Transit to New Year’s Day Levees with Extended TTC Day Pass Deals Through Jan. 6, 2013

The TTC offers their family Day Pass deals from Dec. 22, 2012 through Jan. 6, 2013.

This is an all-day pass for up to 2 adults and 4 children, but read this page for the fine print: “Day Pass” (as of Dec. 30, 2012; I expect the page to be updated later).

Looking for More Annual Toronto Events?

Check the “annual events” or “Toronto events” categories toward the end of the left-hand menu for other fascinating, free or frugal annual events in Toronto.

Consider Ssense clothing for a levée or other slightly dressy affair, whether you’re a man in the market for a new tie or a lady seeking a Damir Doma scarf.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. However, DeHaan Services does write web site or advertising copy for clients. Our skills are demonstrated in online articles in Decoded Science and other web sites. That’s why DeHaan Services highlight these online articles on this blog page, although it’s purpose is to answer the question “What to do on New Year’s Day in Toronto?”.