The year 2025 could not have been off to a better start for astronomers and stargazers as the Quadrantid meteor shower is set to peak, offering uninterrupted stunning views of the night sky with bright and powerful silhouettes. The Quadrantids, which are currently active, will continue till January 16, 2025, but its peak time will be on the night between January 2 and 3, 2025 (January 3 and 4 in India).

When Quadrantid meteor shower will be visible in India?

As per NASA, the Quadrantids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere which means they will be visible in India, especially during the night and predawn hours. To view the Quadrantids, find an area well away from the city or street lights, lie flat on your back with your feet facing northeast and look up. 

Within 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors. The only caveat is that you have to be patient as the meteor show will last until dawn. You will have plenty of time to catch a glimpse. If going to a dark place is not possible, you can also visit a nearby planetarium where telescopes can be used to view the celestial event.

Maximum activity can be expected around 1500 GMT (8:30 PM IST) and may last well into the night and early morning on January 4.

Quadrantid meteor shower: What is it?

While orbiting the Sun several times a year, Earth passes through debris left by passing comets – and sometimes asteroids. The source of the Quadrantids is debris from the asteroid 2003 EH1.

The Quadrantids peak during early January every year for only a few hours, unlike most of the meteor showers that have a two-day peak.

“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,” NASA said, adding that during its peak time, anywhere between 60-200 Quadrantid meteors are visible per hour under perfect conditions.

Also Read | 2025’s First Meteor Shower ‘Quandrantid’ Will Be Visible In India: Details

Quadrantids have been named after the now obsolete constellation Quadrans Muralis — introduced in 1795 by French astronomer Jerome Lalande. An alternative name for the Quadrantids is the Bootids since the meteors appear to radiate from the modern constellation of Bootes.

Quadrantids, first observed in 1825, often produce bright, colourful fireballs that linger in the sky longer than a typical meteor shower. 

This weekend, a “spectacular” meteor shower is predicted to illuminate the night sky.It is predicted that the Geminid shower, known as a “meteor storm” due to its ferocity, would peak between Saturday and Sunday.

Producing more than 150 meteors per hour at its peak, the ‘Geminids’ is regarded by stargazers as one of the best showers of the year-and it’s expected to peak over the next 48 hours.

Geminids will continue through December 21, though the meteor shower will peak between December 13 and December 14, with up to 120 meteors seen per hour, according to the American Meteor Shower. The Geminids meteor shower, which peaks during mid-December each year, is considered to be one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers.

Here are the fast facts about the Geminids meteor shower:

• Origin: 3200 Phaethon (an asteroid or a possible “rock comet”)
• Radiant: Constellation Gemini
• Active Period: November 19 – December 24, 2023 (Peak on December 14)
• Peak Activity Meteor Count: Approximately 120 meteors per hour
• Meteor Velocity: 79,000 mph (127,000 kph) or 22 miles per second (35 kilometres per second)

The Geminids meteor shower, which peaks during mid-December each year, is considered to be one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers. The Geminids did not start out that way. The Geminids first began appearing in the mid-1800s. However, the first showers were not noteworthy, with only 10 to 20 meteors seen per hour. Since that time, the Geminids have grown to become one of the major meteor showers of the year. During its peak, 120 Geminid meteors can be seen per hour under perfect conditions. The Geminids are bright and fast meteors and tend to be yellow in colour.

How to See the Geminids Meteor Shower Peak

According to NASA, the Geminids are best viewed during the night and predawn hours and are visible across the globe due to a nearly 24-hour broad maximum. This shower is considered one of the best opportunities for young viewers since this shower starts around 9 or 10 p.m. To view the Geminids, find an area well away from the city lights or street lights. Come prepared for winter temperatures with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair. Lie flat on your back with your feet facing south and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt, and you will begin to see meteors. Be patient-the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.