The connection between Comet P/Machholz and the Quadrantid meteor

Attention is given to the variation of the period of q-i oscillation between different meteor particles in relation to the hypothesis that the shedding of meteors occurred nearly 4000 yr ago, when Comet P/Machholz last had a very small perihelion distance. It is shown that this hypothesis is viable in view of the ejection velocities typically expected and the resulting spread in the period of q-i oscillations. The most promising range of semimajor axes is just inside the 2/1 resonance, and detailed study reveals many cases of chaotic behavior due to the close encounters with Jupiter. With regard to the possible ejection of Quadrantids at the second-last minimum of q of Comet P/Machholz, i.e, more than 8000 yr ago, it is argued that the Poynting-Robertson effect has already largely removed the particles from the observable orbits.