Clear skies in Merseyside offer perfect viewing conditions for the Quadrantid meteor shower
(Image: PA)
The Quadrantids meteor shower may be visible across UK skies tonight (January 2). The spectacle in the sky will show up to 120 shooting stars per hour, in what is considered to be “one of the best annual meteor showers” of the year.
According to NASA, the Quadrantids peak during early-January each year. Most meteor showers have a two-day peak, which makes catching sight of these other meteors much more possible.
The Quadrantids peak, on the other hand, is much shorter – only a few hours. During its peak, 60 to as many as 200 Quadrantid meteors can be seen per hour under perfect conditions.
Quadrantids are also known for their bright fireball meteors. Fireballs are larger explosions of light and colour that can persist longer than an average meteor streak. This is due to the fact that fireballs originate from larger particles of material. Fireballs are also brighter, with magnitudes brighter than -3.
The latest weather forecasts from the Met Office suggest tonight (Thursday, January 2) will offer the best viewing opportunities, with clear skies expected across Merseyside.
Where is best to watch the meteor shower?
The Quadrantids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during the night and predawn hours. They are best viewed from a dark area, well away from the city or street lights.
NASA recommends allowing your eyes to adjust to the darkness for around 30 minutes. NASA said: “Come prepared for winter weather with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair. Lie flat on your back with your feet facing northeast and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.”
When is best to see the meteor shower in the UK?
The Quadrantids appear when the Earth moves through debris left from the asteroid 2003 EH1, between December 28, 2024 to January 12, 2025 – but will reach its high point on January 3-4. The official peak is at 3am on January 4. With clear skies it will be visible until the early morning.
Unlike other meteor showers which have a two-day peak, these last just a few hours. NASA said: “The reason the peak is so short is due to the shower’s thin stream of particles and the fact that the Earth crosses the stream at a perpendicular angle.”