Blue meteors with occasional fireballs – the Quadrantids are at their peak

If the clouds cooperate, you can start the year with a shower. The peak of the Quadrantid shower is on 3 January. The peak is expected to occur at 10pm GMT, although this can vary by a day or two.

Between December and January, the shower produces a lot of shooting stars in the sky. It can produce more than 100 meteors an hour under ideal conditions.

The peak is often over in a matter of hours. The moon is new this year and will have set before the show starts, which will help visibility. To further enhance your chances, look for the dark sky and wrap up warm. There is a waiting game.

The chart shows the view from London at midnight. Look off to one side, instead of looking directly at the radiant. The best view will be after midnight. The best place to see the Quadrantids is in the north.

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