When and where to see the Quadrantids, 2025's first meteor shower
The new year will kick off with the Quadrantid meteor shower, which is set to peak early on Friday.
The Quadrantids have the potential of 200 meteors an hour under perfect conditions, but most astronomy fans can catch 20-30 meteors an hour under clear, dark skies during the peak, according to NASA. The moon will be a "mere crescent" and set early in the night, which should make for good meteor viewing conditions, according to the space agency.
When and where you can see the Quadrantids
The meteor shower will peak in the early morning hours on Friday, according to NASA. While meteor showers last for days, the per hour rate of meteors will be best during the peak and the highest as dawn approaches.
The Quadrantids will be active until Jan. 16, according to the American Meteor Society.
NASA advises viewing meteor showers in areas well away from city and street lights. The Quadrantids are best seen from the Northern Hemisphere, and observers in the Northwest and Pacific region will likely have the best viewing opportunities this year.
Those heading outside to catch the celestial show should lie flat on their backs with their feet facing northeast and look up. Be prepared to wait about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark. Viewers should also bring along a blanket or sleeping bag to help with the chilly January weather.
What is a meteor shower?
Meteors are space rocks that enter Earth's atmosphere. They streak through the sky every night, and when Earth encounters many meteors at once, it's called a meteor shower. The meteors heat up as they pass through the atmosphere, making them look like shooting stars.
While most meteor showers originate from comets, the Quadrantids come from asteroid 2003 EH1 — a small asteroid that was discovered on March 6, 2003.
The Quadrantids are also known for their bright fireball meteors, with larger explosions of light and color that can last longer than an average meteor streak, according to NASA.
