The Quadrantids meteor shower is expected to peak tonight in the Northern Hemisphere, offering a spectacular display of shooting stars. According to the American Meteor Society (AMS), the shower will reach its peak activity between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. EST, with approximately 120 meteors per hour visible.
The Quadrantids originate from asteroid 2003 EH1, which takes about 5.52 years to orbit the Sun. This rare celestial body exhibits characteristics of both an asteroid and a comet, resulting in bright fireballs that can persist longer than average meteor streaks.
To view the Quadrantids, stargazers should face northeast with their feet facing east and lie flat on their back to take in as much of the night sky as possible. A waning crescent moon will allow skies to remain dark for good viewing conditions. It’s essential to allow eyes to adjust to the dark for at least 30 minutes before viewing, with serious observers recommended to watch for an hour or more due to numerous peaks and valleys.
The Quadrantids are considered one of the strongest annual meteor showers, producing up to 200 meteors per hour under perfect conditions. The radiant point can be found in the obsolete constellation “Quadrans Muralis,” located between the constellations of Bootes and Draco.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/quadrantids-1st-meteor-shower-2025-expected-peak-tonight/story?id=117270884