As the year draws to a close, sky watchers in the Northern Hemisphere are treated to one of the most active meteor showers on the celestial calendar: the Quadrantid meteor shower.

With its reputation for producing bright fireballs and an impressive number of meteors per hour, this shower is a spectacle you won’t want to miss.

But while the meteor shower is visible for three weeks, its peak is unusually short compared to other showers.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Quadrantids in 2025.

What is the Quadrantid Meteor Shower?

The Quadrantid meteor shower is one of the best annual meteor showers, known for its short but intense peak and frequent bright fireballs.

Unlike most meteor showers, which originate from comets, the Quadrantids originate from an asteroid: 2003 EH1.

This small, two-mile-wide asteroid is considered a “dead comet” or “stone comet” and takes about 5.52 years to orbit the Sun, according to NASA.

Comets are made of ice, dust, and rocky material, while a dead comet is one that has lost most of its ice, leaving only a rocky, asteroid-like core.

The Quadrantids are named after the now-obsolete constellation Quadrans Muralis, introduced by the French astronomer Jérôme Lalande in 1795. The constellation has since been dropped from the International Astronomical Union’s list of recognized constellations.

The radiant, or point in the sky where the meteors appear to originate, is located near the modern constellation Bootes, near the handle of the Big Dipper.

Despite being tied to a constellation, meteors are visible all over the night sky during a shower.

When will the Quadrantid meteor shower peak?

The quadrant tides are currently active and will continue until January 16, 2025. However, their peak is short, lasting only a few hours on the night between January 2 and 3, 2025.

During this peak, up to 200 meteors per hour can streak across the sky under perfect conditions, making it one of the three most active showers of the year, alongside the Perseid and Geminids.

The predicted peak is Jan. 3 at 12:45 a.m. ET, according to the American Meteor Society, meaning U.S. viewers may miss the absolute peak. Viewers in the Pacific and Hawaii may be in the best position to catch the peak under the cover of darkness.

However, meteors will still be visible outside this peak window, so keep an eye on the sky throughout the night.

How and where to see the Quadrantid meteor shower

To enjoy the Quadrantids, go to a dark place away from the city lights. Dress warmly and prepare blankets, a sleeping bag or a reclining chair to make your experience more comfortable.

Lie on your back, feet facing northeast, and capture as much of the sky as possible. Wait at least 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark.

Patience is key. While the peak may be during the day, the meteors will be visible throughout the night until dawn.

Where to look in the sky to see the quadrantids

Although Quadrantid meteors radiate from a point near the constellation Bootes, there is no need to focus only on this area.

Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, so keep your eyes open. The waxing crescent moon will set early on January 2, ensuring minimal interference with visibility.

When is the next meteor shower coming?

After the Quadrantids, the night sky will have a short break from major meteor activity.

Another major meteor shower, the Lyrids, will begin on April 15 and last until April 30, 2025. The Lyrids will peak on the night of April 21-22.

This will be followed by the Eta Aquarids, active from April 20 to May 21, 2025, peaking on the night of May 3-4.