Blue fireball meteor display to beam across sky tonight with up to 120 shooting stars an hour – 4 tips for the best view
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THE Quadrantid meteor shower is set to peak tonight, giving stargazers a chance to see up to 120 shooting stars per hour. The annual display is known for its bright fireball meteors, which can appear blue. While the Quadrantid meteor shower is active from 26 December to January 16, it will produce the most shooting stars this weekend.
![[The highest number of Quadrantid meteors will pass Earth in the early hours of 4 January]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/crop-10278702.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The highest number of meteors will pass Earth in the early hours of 4 January. The best time to view them is from late night on 3 January to dawn on 4 January. "While the peak only lasts a few hours, you can still see meteors before and after this period," Shyam Balaji, researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King’s College London, said.
![[For the best view, set up your watch-post somewhere away from light pollution]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/NINTCHDBPICT000456466393-1-e1576664566222.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"Though the number of visible meteors will be significantly lower.". Unlike other meteor showers that tend to peak over about two days, the peak period of the Quadrantids is only a few hours long. Viewing conditions will be particularly favourable tonight, with the moon in a waning crescent.
This means the lunar disk is only about 47 per cent illuminated, and won't cast too much glare into the sky. For the best view, set up your watch-post somewhere away from light pollution - be that a city skyline or even just a lamppost. Be patient and let your eyes adjust to the dark – this can take up to 20 minutes if you want to catch the fine light trails that follow meteors.
