Blue fireballs to light up the sky like meteor showers

The first meteor shower of 2025 has the potential to not only be the year’s best, but also feature blue-colored “fireballs,” according to scientists.

The Quadrantid meteor shower will peak on Friday evening, January 3, 2025. It can have up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.

“The Quadrantids are known for their bright fireball meteors, which can appear blue,” said Dr. Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King’s College London, in an email. “This blue color is due to the meteors’ high speed (about 41 km/s) and the presence of certain elements such as magnesium and iron in the meteoroids, which emit blue light when they burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere.”

According to American Meteor SocietyQuadrantids have the potential to be the strongest shower of the year,

When to see the Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peak

Dr. Balaji explained that the best time to see the Quadrantids will be from late night on January 3 to dawn on January 4, 2025. During this window, the bright spot below the Big Dipper between the constellations Boötes and Draco will be well positioned. in the northeastern sky.

For the favorable conditions is the moon phase. On January 4, there will be a 16% illuminated waning crescent moon that sets early, meaning a dark sky most of the night.

How to see the Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peak

To capture the Quadrantids in their full glory, seek out a dark place away from city lights. Dress warmly as January nights can be chilly and bring an armchair or blanket for comfortable stargazing. Patience is key; allow your eyes to adjust to the dark for at least 20 minutes.

According to NASAhere’s how to best approach meteor showers:

• Avoid light pollution in cities (consider visiting a International Dark Sky Park).
• Find a spot with a clear, unobstructed view of the night sky.
• Dress warmly – it can be freezing.
• Be patient and follow along for at least half an hour, preferably on a sun lounger or mat.
• Do not try to use a telescope or binoculars – they significantly reduce your chances of seeing “shooting stars”.
• Avoid looking at your cell phone or other white light – it will instantly destroy your night vision. Use only red light.

Where to see the Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peak

Unlike most meteor showers named after constellations, the Quadrantids take their name from the obsolete constellation called the Quadrans Muralis. Its shooting stars and fireballs radiate from close to the end of the handle of the Big Dipper, but can be seen anywhere in the night sky.

Their parent body is believed to be asteroid 2003 EH1, making the Quadrantids one of the few meteor showers to originate from an asteroid rather than a comet.

I wish you clear skies and big eyes.