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Quadrantids meteor shower 2026 and 2027
The Quadrantids are active 28 December – 12 January each year, with a peak rate of about 80 meteors an hour under perfect dark skies. They come from asteroid 2003 EH1, probably a fragment of an old comet. In 2027 the peak falls on 3 January, with a dark sky with little moonlight.
Quadrantids peak dates for the UK
Peak times are worked out from the Sun's position along its path (the solar longitude the International Meteor Organization gives for the peak), so they are accurate to within a few hours. Real peaks can arrive early or late. 'Best time' is the hour when the radiant is highest while the sky is properly dark.
| Year | Peak (UK time) | Moon at peak | Best time from London |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sat 3 January (around 12:48 GMT) | Full moon, 100% lit | 06:00 GMT, radiant about 66° up |
| 2027 | Sun 3 January (around 18:37 GMT) | Waning crescent, 14% lit | 06:00 GMT, radiant about 66° up |
What to expect
The rate of about 80 an hour is the zenithal hourly rate, a figure for a perfectly dark sky with the radiant overhead. From a UK garden you will usually see a third to a half of that, fewer near towns or under moonlight. Quadrantids enter the atmosphere at about 41 km per second.
The radiant, near the end of the Plough's handle, never sets from the UK, so it can be watched all night. It climbs highest before dawn.
History and origin
The Quadrantids are named after Quadrans Muralis, a constellation that no longer exists. It sat between Boötes and Draco and was dropped when the official constellation boundaries were fixed in 1922. The peak is sharp, often only a few hours long, so the timing matters more than for any other shower.
The meteors are specks of dust shed by asteroid 2003 EH1, probably a fragment of an old comet. When Earth crosses that dust each year, the grains burn up about 80 to 100 km overhead.
How to watch
- Find somewhere away from streetlights, ideally with a wide view of the sky. Our UK dark sky spots by county list designated places near you.
- Give your eyes 20 minutes to adapt, and keep your phone on a dim red screen.
- Lie back on a reclining chair and look about two-thirds of the way up the sky, not straight at the radiant.
- Dress for twice as cold as you expect, and bring a hot drink.
- Check the moon calendar for the phase, and the weather forecast for cloud.
Folklore and tradition
Shooting stars have long been seen as signs. A common British wish custom is to make a wish before the meteor fades and keep it secret. Others saw them as souls passing, or as a sign of good luck for the year. We share these as folklore, part of why people have always loved a night under the stars.
For a night under the stars
Questions answered
When do the Quadrantids peak in 2027?
Around 3 January 2027, near 18:37 GMT UK time. Watch the nights either side too.
How many Quadrantids will I see?
The peak rate is about 80 an hour under perfect skies. From a typical UK site, expect a fraction of that, depending on darkness and moonlight.
Will the moon spoil the Quadrantids in 2027?
At the 2027 peak the moon is 14% lit (waning crescent), so expect a dark sky with little moonlight.
What causes the Quadrantids?
Dust from asteroid 2003 EH1, probably a fragment of an old comet, burning up as Earth passes through it.
Do I need a telescope to see the Quadrantids?
No. Meteors move too fast and across too much of the sky. Your eyes are the best instrument.
Key facts (summary)
- The Quadrantids are active 28 December – 12 January each year, with a peak rate of about 80 meteors an hour under perfect dark skies.
- Around 3 January 2027, near 18:37 GMT UK time.
- The peak rate is about 80 an hour under perfect skies.
- At the 2027 peak the moon is 14% lit (waning crescent), so expect a dark sky with little moonlight.
- Dust from asteroid 2003 EH1, probably a fragment of an old comet, burning up as Earth passes through it.
- No.
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