Sure, we’re familiar with fireworks on New Year’s Eve, but what if we told you that you could actually watch up to 120 meteors race across the sky just days after ringing in 2024? Yup, the 2024 Quadrantid meteor shower is set to dazzle skywatchers in early January, and you won’t want to miss it. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming meteor shower.
What is the Quadrantid meteor shower?
The Quadrantids are one of the best meteor showers of the year, according to NASA. They occur every January and originate from the asteroid 2003 EH1. Anywhere from 60 to 120 meteors can be seen per hour at peak activity.
When will the Quadrantid meteor shower occur?
The Quadrantid meteor shower will occur between January 3 – 4, 2024.
When will the Quadrantid meteor shower peak?
The Quadrantid meteor shower is expected to peak on Thursday, January 4th, 2024 at 7:53am ET.
How long with the Quadrantid meteor shower last?
Unlike most meteor showers that peak for two days, the Quadrantid meteor shower only peaks for a few hours (approx. 6 hours).
How often do Quadrantid meteor showers appear?
The Quadrantids appear annually.
What’s the best way to view the Quadrantid meteor shower?
To get the best view of the spectacle, it’s important to get as far from city lights as possible—unfortunately that’s a hard task in NYC. But for those under dark skies, you have the best chance of seeing the shower from late Wednesday night through dawn on Thursday.