Quadrantids 2026

A brief but intense January peak, rich in bright blue meteors, though the maximum is only a few hours wide.

Maximum: January 3, 2026 Active: Dec 28 – Jan 12 Sharp peak: timing matters
Viewing from New York

The Quadrantids reach maximum on January 3, 2026, with a peak rate of up to 80 meteors per hour under ideal dark skies (active Dec 28 – Jan 12). A bright 98%-lit Waning Gibbous is up through much of the peak night and will drown out all but the brightest meteors. A poor year. This is a sharp maximum only a few hours wide, so the exact night and time matter: check the timing for your own location before heading out.

Nominal ZHR
80/hr
Moon
98% Waning Gibbous
Moon interference
Significant (bad)
Moon conditions computed for New York, 2026.

About the Quadrantids

Active
Dec 28 – Jan 12
Radiant (J2000)
15h 20m, +49°
Velocity
41 km/s
Nominal ZHR
80 / hour
Population index
r = 2.1
Parent body
Asteroid 2003 EH1 (possibly comet C/1490 Y1)

The date of maximum is taken from the IMO Working List of Visual Meteor Showers; the radiant, velocity and parent body come from the IAU Meteor Data Center. Only the Moon phase and interference are computed for the year and location shown.