Quadrantid meteor shower: What is it and how to see it in London?
Share:
Lucky Londoners could see a meteor shower this weekend, with one of the most dazzling of the year set to peak on Friday and Saturday (January 3 and 4). Seeing the Quadrantids in the capital may not be easy, though. Here’s what you need to know before heading out to stargaze.
![[Snow and cold weather alerts for London as temperatures plummet below freezing in capital]](https://static.standard.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2018/03/01/11/snowmain.jpg?crop=8:5,smart&quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
Meteors occur when pieces of debris enter the Earth’s atmosphere and vaporises – causing a streak of light sometimes referred to as a shooting star. Taking place every January, the Quadrantid meteor shower is one of the most consistent each year, with a maximum rate of 120 meteors per hour, according to the Royal Greenwich Observatory.
![[Geminid meteor shower captured lighting up night skies across England]](https://static.standard.co.uk/2024/12/14/18/beb5adeb46b6be4404ab363b36623752Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM0Mjg4NzA3-2.78480922.jpg?crop=8:5,smart&quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
This specific meteor shower usually takes place between December 26 and January 12, with the date it is most visible moving slightly each year. For 2025, the Quadrantid meteor shower will be at its maximum – and most visible – on the nights of Friday, January 3 and Saturday, January 4.
![[Past climate change ‘shifts ocean currents and winds in Southern Ocean’]](https://static.standard.co.uk/2025/01/01/19/26204337-bfeb3a1c-db59-4997-93b1-c0e17ce917f7.jpg?crop=8:5,smart&quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
First things first: You need to try to get away from light pollution, which is admittedly very difficult in the capital. Time wise, get ready for a late night as the peak is set to be in the early hours of the morning, after midnight and before dawn. Clear weather conditions will massively boost your chances, so keep an eye on the forecasts. The Met Office is currently predicting cloud, and even snow, for this weekend, so make sure you have a peek at the skies before wrapping up warm and heading out.
![[AI Trends 2025: Futurist, Professor David L. Shrier ...Tech and Science Daily podcast]](https://static.standard.co.uk/2024/12/03/00/02084255-a75a4124-f96c-41ae-bc7f-a23d3fd48bdf.jpg?crop=8:5,smart&quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
