Quadrantids 2026: when and how to see the most powerful January starfall
The quadrantids traditionally open the calendar of astronomical events of the new year and are considered one of the most powerful meteor showers on Earth. It can be observed from the end of December to the beginning of January, and the peak activity usually occurs in the first days of the year. Despite their relatively low popularity, the intensity of the Quadrantides is comparable to, and sometimes surpasses, the famous summer starfall. What this stream is, where it came from, when and how best to observe the "shooting stars" in 2026 is in the Izvestia article.
What are Quadrantids?
The Quadrantids are a meteor shower that is active annually from December 28 to January 7. During the peak period, under favorable conditions, you can see dozens or even hundreds of meteors per hour. In everyday life, this phenomenon is often called a starfall, but it has nothing to do with real stars.
Sergey Bogachev, head of the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy at the IKI RAS and the ISSF SB RAS, explains that the nature of all meteor showers is the same.
— All meteor showers occur as a result of the action of the parent body — it is either a comet or an asteroid. The dust that is scattered from these bodies forms a dust tail, into which the Earth periodically flies, and then we observe a meteor shower," he noted.
According to him, bright flashes in the sky are tiny particles that burn up in the atmosphere at high speed, creating the effect of "shooting stars."
The history of the discovery of the Quadrantids
One of the first recorded observations of the Quadrantids was described in 1825 by the Italian astronomer Antonio Brucalassi. In early January, he noticed a large number of luminous bodies crossing the sky, and suggested that the phenomenon was regular. Later observations confirmed that the stream appears annually on approximately the same dates.
The name "Quadrantids" is associated with the radiant, the point from which meteors visually "fly out". It was located in the constellation of the Wall Quadrant (Quadrans Muralis), introduced in 1795 by the French astronomer Joseph Lalande. The constellation was not included in the official list of 88 constellations approved in 1922, but the historical name of the meteor shower has been preserved.
Today, the radiant of the Quadrantids is located in the area of the constellation of Volopas, next to the Big Dipper, which makes it easier to find it in the sky.
Where did the Quadrantids come from
For a long time, the origin of the Quadrantids remained a mystery. Unlike most large comet-related fluxes, they could not find an obvious "parent." The situation changed in 2003, when astronomer Peter Jenniskens established a connection between the stream and the asteroid (196256) 2003 EH1 with a diameter of about 2-3 km.
Sergey Bogachev clarifies that it is this body that is considered the source of the flow today.
— In the case of the Quadrantids, the parent body is a small asteroid, about a kilometer in size. The Earth flies through its dust tail, which is why we see this meteor shower," the scientist explained.
According to one hypothesis, asteroid 2003 EH1 may be the remnant of an ancient comet observed by East Asian astronomers about 500 years ago.
Why are Quadrantids so powerful, but not the most popular
Astronomers rank the Quadrantids among the three most intense annual meteor showers along with the Perseids and Geminids. At peak times, the theoretical zenith hourly number can reach 200 meteors per hour, which is noticeably higher than that of many more well-known starbursts.
— This is one of the brightest streams of the year. It is really very strong in terms of intensity," Sergey Bogachev emphasized.
However, according to him, objective factors hinder the popularity of the stream.
— In January, the weather in the Northern Hemisphere is often bad, with a lot of clouds, plus cold. Of course, it's more pleasant to look at the stars on a summer night than in winter. That is why the Quadrantids are observed less often than, say, the Perseids," the expert noted.
In addition, the peak activity of the Quadrantids is very short and can last only a few hours, which requires accurate timing of observations.
When and how to observe the Quadrantids in 2026
In 2026, the peak of Quadrantid activity is expected on the night of January 2-3. Experts recommend starting observations a few hours before the estimated maximum and continuing them after, as the exact time of the peak may shift.
— If there is an opportunity and the weather does not let you down, you definitely should not miss this chance. Even if you don't get strictly to the maximum, bright meteors and fireballs can be seen in the next hours or days," said Bogachev.
It is better to choose a place away from the city lights, let your eyes get used to the darkness in advance and position yourself comfortably to cover most of the sky.
You can find the radiant of the Quadrantids with the help of Ursa Major, one of the most recognizable constellations.
— The easiest way is to find the Big Dipper in the sky and mentally extend its "bucket handle" to about the same distance. At this point, the radiant will be located, from where the stars will "fall", — Sergey Bogachev explained.
He added that the Big Dipper is visible from almost all regions of the country, so geographically the Quadrantids are accessible to most observers in Russia.
Is it worth waiting for a bright sight in January
Despite the cold, short peak and not always favorable weather, the Quadrantids remain one of the most abundant meteor showers of the year. This is the first major astronomical event in January and a rare opportunity to start the year by observing a dynamic cosmic phenomenon.
— The stream is not the most convenient for observations, but by its nature it is very powerful. If the weather permits, the spectacle can really be impressive," concluded Sergey Bogachev.
Even if you don't manage to catch the maximum, a few bright flashes in the dark winter sky can be a spectacular start to the year and a rare opportunity to touch the real cosmic dynamics, astronomers emphasize.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
