Annual Highlight of the Quadrantid Meteor Shower Coming Up January 4

by Mindy Cohn

The Qyadrantid Meteor Shower, one of the most impressive annual meteor showers, peaks each year in January, with this year's highlight taking place the night of January 4.

The Quadrantid Meteor Shower is one of the four major annual meteor showers that boasts shooting stars that resemble bright fireballs, with the Quadrantid's tail streaks stretching longer than the average meteor.

While the  Quadrantids Meteor Shower first shows up on December 26, it isn't fully active until January and fades out again by January 16.

The Quadrantids are known for their bright fireball meteors. The fireballs last longer than the average meteor streak as they are larger explosions of light and color with brighter magnitudes.

During its peak, 60 to as many as 200 Quadrantid meteors can be seen per hour under perfect conditions, according to NASA. 

Every year, the Earth passes through the debris trails left by comet particles and bits of broken asteroids, which collide with our atmosphere only to disintegrate into fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.

Rockland County stargazers who want to view the meteor shower should try to find a spot as far away from artificial lights as possible to take in the show.