On Friday, stargazers will have the opportunity to witness the Quadrantid meteor shower, marking the first major celestial event of the year with spectacular views of fireballs streaking across the sky.
The visibility for this event should be excellent due to the presence of a waning crescent moon, which will allow for clear and dark skies, enhancing the viewing experience.
Typically, meteor showers derive their names from the constellations they seem to emanate from; however, the Quadrantids take their name from a constellation that is no longer recognized, as noted by William Cooke from NASA.
The Quadrantids are known for their bright fireball appearances, despite not usually leaving long trails behind them. During the peak, observers may be treated to a display of as many as 120 meteors each hour, according to NASA’s findings.
This meteor shower can be observed until January 16. Here’s everything you need to know about the Quadrantids and other meteor showers throughout the year.

So, what exactly is a meteor shower?
Meteor showers occur several times annually when our planet crosses through debris that has been shed by comets or sometimes asteroids. In the case of the Quadrantids, the debris comes from the asteroid known as 2003 EH1.
As the swiftly moving particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they encounter air resistance, which causes them to heat up dramatically, eventually leading to them igniting and burning up.
This process sometimes results in the surrounding air glowing briefly, creating a fiery tail that trails behind what is commonly referred to as a “shooting star.”
Viewing meteor showers doesn’t require any specialized gear; all you need is a location that is away from city lights for the best experience.

When aiming to catch a meteor shower, the early morning hours, just before dawn, are ideal as this is when the moon will be positioned low in the sky.
One of the main hindrances to observing meteors is light pollution, which can come from both the moon and artificial sources.
Clear, cloudless nights, especially when the moon is at its smallest, provide the best conditions for viewing.
It’s advised to remember to look up rather than down; allowing your eyes to adjust to the darkness and avoiding distractions like your phone can greatly enhance your chances of spotting those shooting stars.
For this particular Quadrantid peak, conditions will be favorable with a thin crescent moon, only 11% illuminated.

Looking ahead, meteor watchers can anticipate the next significant event—the Lyrids meteor shower—set to peak in mid-April.