Quadrantid meteor shower at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Activity window | about December 28 to January 12 |
| Peak | around January 3–4 |
| Zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) | about 80 (varies, sometimes higher) |
| Radiant | northern Boötes, near the Big Dipper’s handle |
| Parent body | asteroid 2003 EH1 |
| Entry speed | about 41 km/s |
The window and peak follow the International Meteor Organization (IMO) calendar. Check the meteor shower calendar for the predicted peak time, which matters more for this shower than for most.
A peak measured in hours
Most major showers have a maximum that lasts a day or more. The Quadrantids are different. Their strongest activity typically lasts only about six hours, and outside that window the rate drops to a fraction of the peak.
That means where you live matters. If the peak falls during your daytime, you will see far fewer meteors, even on the right date. If it falls during your night with the radiant high, you may enjoy one of the richest displays of the year. The predicted peak time is usually given in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). You can convert it to your local time with the time difference calculator.
A shower from an asteroid-like body
The Quadrantids are linked to 2003 EH1, a small body discovered in 2003. It looks like an asteroid, but many astronomers think it is an extinct or dormant comet that has lost most of its ice. The narrow stream suggests the particles were released fairly recently in astronomical terms, which is one reason the peak is so sharp.
Where to look
The radiant is in the northern sky, in the area of Boötes between the handle of the Big Dipper and the head of Draco. At mid-northern latitudes it is low in the north in the evening and climbs high before dawn. That makes the early morning hours the best time, as long as the peak falls then.
For observers in the far north, the radiant never sets, so some activity is visible all night.
As with any shower, you do not need to look straight at the radiant. Meteors can appear anywhere. Looking about 45 degrees away from it, at a high, dark part of the sky, gives a good mix of numbers and long trails.
Moonlight and winter weather
The moon phases in early January decide how many faint meteors you will see. A bright Moon in the morning sky can hide most of them. Look up the moonrise and moonset times for your location, and combine them with the predicted peak time.
Winter weather is the other obstacle. Clouds are common in early January in many places, and nights are cold.
Viewing tips
- Check the peak time. Plan around it, not just the date.
- Dress for real cold. Layers, a hat, gloves and warm boots let you stay out long enough.
- Bring a reclining chair or insulated pad. Lying on frozen ground drains heat quickly.
- Allow time to adapt. About 20 to 30 minutes in the dark without screens.
- Look northeast in the early morning, then up toward the zenith.
For other sky events on a given night, see the sky tonight.