What better way is there to welcome 2025 than wishing upon a star? How about 200 stars? Stargazers can ring in the new year by witnessing the Quadrantids, the first meteor shower of the year. Considered one of the strongest annual meteor showers, the Quadrantids peak every year in early Janaury, producing up to 200 meteors per hour under perfect conditions, according to NASA. They are also known for their bright fireball meteors, larger explosions of light and color that persist longer than an average meteor streak.
The Quadrantids are expected to peak from Thursday night through early Friday morning, according to the American Meteor Society (AMS). The peak is a shorter timeframe than most other meteor showers, which usually have a two-day peak, according to NASA. The Quadrantids peak only for about six hours due to Earth crossing the shower's thin stream of particles at a perpendicular angle, our planet passing through the densest portion of the stream quite quickly.
Unlike most meteor showers which come from comet debris, the Quadrantids originate from an asteroid called 2003 EH1. The small asteroid, which measures about two miles, was first discovered in March 2003. It takes about 5.52 years to orbit the Sun and could be a new kind of celestial object known as a "dead comet" or "rock comet," which exhibits characteristics of an asteroid and a comet.
The Quadrantids were first seen in 1825, according to NASA. Their radiant, or point in the sky from which the meteors appear to come, is an obsolete constellation called "Quadrans Muralis," located between the constellations of Bootes and Draco. However, the meteors will be visible throughout the night sky. The best time to watch is in the early predawn hours, when the moon is low in the sky.
Best seen from the Northern Hemisphere, the Quadrantids will peak on a night with a slim crescent moon, meaning moonlight won't be much of a hindrance to the view. NASA advises to watch in areas away from city and street lights. Lie flat with your feet facing northeast and allow your eyes about 30 minutes to adapt to the darkness. The next major meteor shower, the Lyrids, will peak in mid-April.