Look up to the night sky tonight! Not only is the Quadrantid meteor shower reaching its peak, but we are also treated to the first supermoon of 2026. The visibility of these celestial events, however, will depend on the weather conditions in your area.
Let’s dive into what you need to know:
The Quadrantids Meteor Shower
The Quadrantids are special for several reasons, particularly their timing and the unique source from which they originate. Astronomers regard this meteor shower as one of the finest of the year, primarily due to the reduced moonlight which allows for clearer visibility of the meteors.
However, the combination of this week’s supermoon and weather conditions may pose challenges for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the shower. Unlike many annual meteor showers that have peaks lasting one or two days, the Quadrantids offer a brief peak spanning just a few hours. During this time, viewers can expect to see anywhere from 60 to 200 meteors each hour, as reported by NASA. This quick peak occurs because Earth intersects the stream of asteroid particles at a perpendicular angle, making it a unique astronomical phenomenon.
While many meteor showers are remnants from comets, the Quadrantids stand out because they originate from an asteroid known as 2003 EH1. According to NASA, there’s a possibility that 2003 EH1 could be classified as a “dead comet” or a “rock comet,” but it is officially categorized as an asteroid. This small celestial body measures about 2 miles across and takes more than 5.5 years to complete its orbit around the Sun.
How to Watch the Quadrantids Meteor Shower
The prime viewing time for the Quadrantids will occur in the late hours of January 2 and early morning of January 3, according to The Planetary Society. Make sure not to miss out—stay alert!
For optimal viewing, head to areas with minimal light pollution after midnight and into the pre-dawn hours. Given the typically cold temperatures in January across much of the U.S., be sure to dress warmly and bring along a cozy blanket and a hot drink.
The International Meteor Organization suggests positioning yourself facing north with the moon behind you to catch sight of the meteors. Despite the chilly weather, it’s an excellent opportunity to venture outside and enjoy some skywatching with a warm beverage.
What Comes Next?
Following the Quadrantids, the next active meteor showers won't appear until late April with the Lyrids, followed by the Eta Aquariids in May.
January’s Supermoon
In addition to the meteor shower, we’re also witnessing the first supermoon of the year, affectionately known as the Super Wolf Moon, visible on both January 2 and January 3, as reported by Earthsky.org.
The full moon will reach its peak brightness at 5:03 a.m. ET on January 3, according to Space.com. The name "Wolf Moon" comes from the belief that wolves howled during this full moon due to hunger; however, this notion has been debunked. Wolves actually howl in winter to locate pack members, establish territory, coordinate hunts, and strengthen social bonds.
Other traditional names for January’s full moon include Center Moon, Cold Moon, Frost Exploding Moon, Freeze Up Moon, and Severe Moon. Additionally, it has been referred to as the Canada Goose Moon, Great Moon, Greeting Moon, and Spirit Moon.
Sources for this information include The Almanac, The Planetary Society, EarthSky.org, Time and Date, and previous reporting by LiveNOW. This article was prepared from San Jose.
