When Is the Quadrantid Meteor Shower?
Peak night: January 3-4, 202761 days away
Countdown to the best time: 4 AM your time
The Quadrantids peak on the night of January 3-4, 2027. The best time to watch is in the dark hours before dawn on January 4, when the radiant is high in the northeast sky. The predicted moment of peak activity is 10:25 PM ET on January 3 (03:25 UTC). The International Meteor Organization predicts the peak at 03:25 UTC, give or take about two and a half hours; other forecasts put it a little later.
Quadrantids 2027 at a Glance
| Peak night | January 3-4, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Best time | In the dark hours before dawn on January 4, when the radiant is high in the northeast sky |
| Predicted peak | 03:25 UTC, 10:25 PM ET, January 3 |
| Rate | Up to about 80 to 120 meteors an hour under dark skies, for only a few hours |
| Moon | A thin waning crescent that rises in the early morning, three days before the new moon on January 7 |
| Active | Late December to about January 12 |
| Radiant | The constellation Boötes, near the end of the Big Dipper's handle, which is highest before dawn |
| Source | Asteroid 2003 EH1 |
Predicted Peak Time Around the World
The best viewing is in the dark hours before dawn on January 4, when the radiant is high in the northeast sky. The table shows when the predicted peak itself happens in each city, which helps if you can only watch for a short time.
| Place | Local time |
|---|---|
| New York (ET) | Sun, Jan 3, 10:25 PM |
| Chicago (CT) | Sun, Jan 3, 9:25 PM |
| Denver (MT) | Sun, Jan 3, 8:25 PM |
| Los Angeles (PT) | Sun, Jan 3, 7:25 PM |
| London | Mon, Jan 4, 3:25 AM |
| Paris and Berlin | Mon, Jan 4, 4:25 AM |
| Dubai | Mon, Jan 4, 7:25 AM |
| New Delhi | Mon, Jan 4, 8:55 AM |
| Dhaka | Mon, Jan 4, 9:25 AM |
| Manila | Mon, Jan 4, 11:25 AM |
| Tokyo | Mon, Jan 4, 12:25 PM |
| Sydney | Mon, Jan 4, 2:25 PM |
| Auckland | Mon, Jan 4, 4:25 PM |
How to Watch the Quadrantids
- Get away from lights: a dark spot outside town shows far more meteors than a city sky.
- Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust, and avoid looking at your phone.
- Look up, not at one spot: meteors appear all over the sky and trace back to Boötes, near the Big Dipper.
- No telescope needed: your eyes are the best tool. Dress warmly and bring a reclining chair.
About the Quadrantids
The Quadrantids are one of the three strongest meteor showers of the year, but their peak lasts only a few hours, so timing matters more than for any other major shower. They are named after Quadrans Muralis, an old constellation that is no longer used.