Quadrantids Meteor Shower to Light Up Night Sky Tonight

SAN ANGELO, TX - The Quadrantids, known as one of the strongest annual meteor showers, will peak tonight, offering stargazers a chance to witness up to 120 meteors per hour, according to the American Meteor Society (AMS). The brief peak activity is expected between 9 p.m. and midnight CT.

Unlike most meteor showers that last for days, the Quadrantids have a short window of visibility due to their thin stream of particles and Earth’s perpendicular passage through it. The shower originates from asteroid 2003 EH1, which is considered a rare “rock comet,” a celestial object with characteristics of both an asteroid and a comet.

The Quadrantids are also famous for their bright fireballs, larger explosions of light and color caused by material particles. These meteors were first observed in 1825 and are named after the obsolete constellation Quadrans Muralis, located between Bootes and Draco.

For optimal viewing, the AMS recommends stargazers lie on their backs with feet facing northeast and allow their eyes to adjust to the darkness for at least 30 minutes. A waning crescent moon is expected. 

Peak visibility will favor viewers in the Pacific region, including Hawaii and Alaska. As night progresses, the radiant point will shift across the northern sky.