The potentially strongest meteor shower of 2025 is expected to peak from Thursday night into Friday morning, according to American Meteor Society.
The Quadrantids, which began Dec. 26 and will be active until Jan. 16, is considered to be “one of the best meteor showers,” according to NASA, but is often difficult to catch due to its shorter peak. Most meteor showers have a two-day peak, according to NASA, but the Quadrantids have a six-hour peak.
The January meteor shower is unique, as it originates from an asteroid instead of from comets like other meteor showers, according to NASA. The asteroid, named 2003 EH1, was discovered in 2003 and its diameter only measures roughly two miles across, according to NASA.
According to the American Meteor Society, under dark skies, one can expect to see 25 meteors per hour. Under perfect conditions, however, the shower can produce 60 to 200 meteors an hour, according to NASA. The meteor shower is also known for its bright fireball meteors, NASA said, which are larger, brighter explosions of light that can last longer than an average meteor streak.
How to watch the meteor shower
The meteor shower is best viewed in Montgomery County and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere during the night and predawn hours, NASA said.
The best time to view the meteor shower is a few hours before dawn when the meteor rate will be the highest, according to NASA. With no interference from the moon, which will be a crescent and sets early in the night, there’s a better chance to see more meteors, NASA said.
NASA suggests moving far away from city or street lights. Stargazers can lie on their back with their feet facing northeast, and allow up to 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark before being able to see the meteors.