URGENT UPDATE: The highly anticipated Quadrantid meteor shower is peaking tonight, January 6, 2024, but a bright supermoon is expected to overshadow the celestial event, drastically reducing visibility for stargazers. Under ideal conditions, the Quadrantids can deliver up to 25 meteors per hour, but tonight’s supermoon will likely cut that number to fewer than 10 meteors per hour for most observers.
According to the American Meteor Society, the meteor shower reaches its peak during the night, making this a prime opportunity for enthusiasts to catch a glimpse of this spectacular phenomenon. However, with the supermoon shining brightly, many may find their chances diminished.
“The biggest enemy of enjoying a meteor shower is the full moon,” said Mike Shanahan, planetarium director at Liberty Science Center.
The Quadrantids are known for their intensity and short viewing window, only occurring when Earth passes through a concentrated area of debris left by comets. This year’s event is particularly challenging due to the bright moonlight, which makes spotting the faint meteors more difficult. The supermoon appears approximately 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than the faintest full moon of the year, as reported by NASA.
For those eager to catch the meteors, experts suggest venturing out during the early evening hours to see the brighter fireballs before the moon dominates the sky. Another prime time is just before dawn on Sunday, January 7, when the radiant point rises higher, offering a better chance to spot meteors.
You don’t need any special equipment to enjoy the show. Experts recommend allowing your eyes to adjust to the darkness, avoiding phone screens, and scanning the entire sky for quick white flashes. The meteors will appear as brief streaks of light, often referred to as shooting stars.
The Quadrantids, named after a now-defunct constellation, often get overshadowed by other cosmic events. After this weekend, the next major shower, the Lyrids, will not occur until April, making this an essential viewing opportunity for meteor enthusiasts.
This supermoon also marks the end of a four-month stretch of lunar phenomena that began in October, with no additional supermoons expected until late 2026. While the moon may steal some of the meteor shower’s glory, even a diminished display is a reason to step outside and enjoy the night sky.
Stay tuned for updates as stargazers report their findings, and remember to share your viewing experiences with others. The cosmos is alive, and tonight presents a unique chance to witness two magnificent celestial events simultaneously.
