NEW YORK — January brings a special treat for skywatchers: a supermoon meets the Quadrantid meteor shower. While both are exciting, the brightness of the supermoon may drown out many of the meteors.
The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks overnight from Friday to Saturday. Typically, you might see about 25 meteors per hour. However, this time, thanks to the supermoon, you could see fewer than 10. Mike Shanahan, director at the Liberty Science Center, notes, “The full moon is the biggest enemy of meteor shower viewing.”
Meteor showers occur as tiny space rocks enter Earth’s atmosphere. They burn up and create bright trails we see as shooting stars. These showers happen regularly when Earth crosses paths with streams of cosmic debris.
Supermoons occur when the moon is closest to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter. NASA states that a supermoon can look up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than the dimmest moon of the year, though this change can be hard to notice without a side-by-side comparison.
While the supermoon can be seen from anywhere at night, the Quadrantids are mostly visible in the Northern Hemisphere. Both events don’t require special equipment to enjoy.
To catch the Quadrantids, it’s best to head out early in the evening to a dark spot, away from city lights. Look for bright streaks across the sky before the moon rises. Jacque Benitez from the Morrison Planetarium recommends giving your eyes time to adjust to the darkness and avoiding your phone’s glow while you watch.
These meteor showers are named after the constellations where the meteors appear to originate. The Quadrantids come from debris of the asteroid 2003 EH1 and are named after a now-unrecognized constellation.
While meteor showers are thrilling, it’s worth noting that the next significant meteor shower, the Lyrids, will take place in April. Supermoons, meanwhile, occur several times a year. This January’s supermoon ends a series that began in October, and the next won’t come until late 2026.
Fun Fact: A NASA study revealed that viewing conditions significantly enhance the enjoyment of celestial events. The right environment can create a more immersive experience, leading to heightened excitement among viewers.
In conclusion, while January offers a spectacular celestial display, the supermoon will overshadow many of the Quadrantids. For optimal viewing, find a dark spot and be patient. The cosmos has plenty to offer—just not all at once!
