We have just entered 2025, and the world is all set to witness the first meteor shower of the year. The Quadrantid meteor shower occurs every year in early January. It is among one of the most intense annual meteor displays, and has a brief peak lasting only a few hours. This year the viewing conditions will largely favour North America, especially for those in Mississippi.
What is a Quadrantid Meteor shower?
The Quadrantid meteor shower, the annual celestial event occurring in early January, is among the rare yet intense meteor showers. It branches from the northeast corner of the Boötes constellation. The name Quadrantids comes from the now obsolete constellation Quadrans Muralis, which was named in 1975 by French astronomer JJ Lalande. The meteor shower was observed for the first time in the 1830s by Belgian astronomer Adolphe Quetelet. The Quadrantids reportedly emerged from asteroid 2003 EH1, which is believed to be a fragment of an extinct comet that broke down in 1490-91. In its peak activity, observers can spot 60 to 120 meteors per hour. However, the visibility depends mainly on location and timing.
Where will it be visible?
This year, the viewing conditions favour the western regions of North America during pre-dawn hours. These meteors are likely to shine bright as Earth’s forward-facing side hits them at high speed. In the absence of moonlight, this could be one of the best meteor displays of the year.
Apart from the US, Canada, certain regions in Northern Europe, and Russia, China, Japan, and Korea are likely to witness the shower, although the visibility may vary. The best time to watch is before dawn on January 4. Last year, the Quadrantids were active between December 28, 2023 and January 12, 2024. The peak occurred on January 3-4. During this peak, observers were reportedly able to witness up to 120 meteors per hour.
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