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Meteor ShowerSharp winter peak

Quadrantid Meteor Shower

January 3-4, 2028
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Quadrantid Meteor Shower

Record
Some attribution details are unavailable.
Known details

KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/P. Horálek (Institute of Physics in Opava) / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

View source

Northern Hemisphere, pre-dawnWhere it's visible
~80 / hourPeak rate
YesVisible from the U.S.
46%Moon at peak
Viewing advice

Northern hemisphere only in practice, and the peak is famously narrow, often just a few hours. The radiant sits near 50 degrees north.

The best time to see Quadrantid Meteor Shower in 2028 is January 3-4, 2028. Timing status: Predicted dates.

A short, sharp burst to open the year.

The Quadrantids pack their peak into just a few hours, so timing and a dark sky matter more than usual. Catch the narrow window and the rates can rival the year's best showers.

Moon at the peak: first quarter, 46% lit (fair). A half-lit moon dims the fainter meteors while it is up. Best after it sets, or facing the darkest part of the sky.

Why it happens

Asteroid 2003 EH1
Inclined 71° to Earth's orbit. Every January, Earth reaches the node where this asteroid's dust crosses its path, and the debris burns up as the shower.
3D by Ian Webster

Where to view it

Best seen far from city lights. Tap a spot to plan a trip around it.

Brighter = more light pollution · NASA Black Marble

Related cosmic events

More sky events connected by phenomenon, region, or travel window.

Frequently asked questions

When is Quadrantid Meteor Shower 2028?

Quadrantid Meteor Shower 2028: January 3-4, 2028.