As the end of the year draws close, skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere are being treated to one of the most active meteor showers in the celestial calendar: the Quadrantid meteor shower.
With its reputation for producing bright fireballs and an impressive number of meteors per hour, this shower is a spectacle you won't want to miss.
But while the meteor shower is visible for three weeks, its peak is unusually short compared to other showers.
Here's everything you need to know about the Quadrantids in 2025.
What is the Quadrantid Meteor Shower?
The Quadrantid meteor shower is one of the best annual meteor showers, known for its brief but intense peak and frequent bright fireballs.
Unlike most meteor showers that originate from comets, the Quadrantids come from an asteroid: 2003 EH1.
This small, two-mile-wide asteroid is thought to be a "dead comet" or "rock comet" and takes about 5.52 years to orbit the Sun, according to NASA.
Comets are made of ice, dust and rocky material, while a dead comet is one that has lost most of its ice, leaving just the rocky asteroid-like nucleus.
The Quadrantids are named after the now-obsolete constellation Quadrans Muralis, which was introduced by French astronomer Jérôme Lalande in 1795. The constellation has since been omitted from the International Astronomical Union's list of recognized constellations.
The radiant, or the point in the sky where the meteors appear to originate, is located near the modern constellation of Bootes, close to the Big Dipper's handle.
Despite being tied to a constellation, meteors are visible across the entire night sky during the shower.
When Will the Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peak?
The Quadrantids are currently active and will continue until January 16, 2025. However, their peak is brief, lasting only a few hours on the night between January 2 and 3, 2025.
During this peak, up to 200 meteors per hour may streak across the sky under perfect conditions—putting it in the top three most active showers of the year, alongside the Perseids and the Geminids.
The predicted peak time is 12:45 p.m. ET on January 3, according to the American Meteor Society, meaning viewers in the U.S. may miss the absolute peak. Viewers in the Pacific and Hawaii may be best placed to catch the peak under the cover of darkness.
Nonetheless, meteors will still be visible outside of this peak window, so keep an eye on the skies throughout the night.
How and Where to See the Quadrantid Meteor Shower
To enjoy the Quadrantids, head to a dark location far from city lights. Dress warmly and come prepared with blankets, a sleeping bag or a reclining chair to make your experience more comfortable.
Lie flat on your back with your feet facing northeast and take in as much of the sky as possible. Allow at least 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness.
Patience is key. While the peak may be during the day, meteors will be visible throughout the night until dawn.
Where To Look in the Sky To See the Quadrantids
Although the Quadrantid meteors radiate from a point near the constellation Bootes, there's no need to focus solely on this area.
Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, so keep your gaze wide. The waxing crescent moon on January 2 will set early, ensuring minimal interference with visibility.
When Is the Next Meteor Shower?
After the Quadrantids, the night sky will have a brief hiatus from major meteor activity.
The next significant meteor shower, the Lyrids, will begin on April 15 and last until April 30, 2025. The Lyrids will peak on the night of April 21–22.
This will be followed by the Eta Aquarids, active from April 20 to May 21, 2025, peaking on the night of May 3–4.
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