So watch the Quadrantids

Shooting stars from the Quadrantids will be particularly easy to observe in 2025

In 2025, the conditions for observing the Quadrantids will be particularly good: on the night of the shooting star maximum, the moon is only about 20 percent illuminated and will set around 9 p.m. This means that its light does not affect the observation – but things were different for the Geminids that flashed across the sky in December 2024.

Shooting stars occur because the Earth flies through a trail of dust left in space by another celestial body – usually a comet. In the case of the Quadrantids, it is probably the asteroid 2003 EH1 that is considered the parent body of the shooting stars. The dust particles penetrate the earth’s atmosphere and burn up there – a shooting star is formed. It looks like a “fallen star”, but it has nothing to do with it.

Quadrantid shooting stars are visible all night long

The Quadrantids get their name from the region of the sky from which the shooting stars appear to emanate (technical term: radiant): a region in the former constellation Wall Quadrant. This constellation, which no longer exists, is revealed between the constellations Bear Guardian, Dragon and Hercules. Today it is located in the northeastern part of the constellation Bootes. This is why the shooting stars are sometimes also called bootids.

One advantage of this radiant is that the shooting stars are visible all night long. The region from which the shooting stars appear to stream does not set throughout the night. After sunset, the region is in the northwest in the sky, although still relatively low above the horizon. As the night progresses it moves up in the sky in the northeast. It is therefore advisable not to look for the shooting stars until later in the evening, around 11 p.m.

Quadrantid/Bootid meteors stream out from near the Big Dipper

Anyone who recognizes the Big Dipper in the sky can easily find the radiant of the Quadrantid shooting stars: it is located near the handlebar of the Big Dipper. In principle, however, shooting stars can occur anywhere in the sky, so it is not absolutely necessary to find the radiant.

However, to enjoy a night of shooting stars, you should have an uninterrupted view of the sky. The darker the night sky and the better you can see it, the higher the chance of observing many shooting stars. Technical aids tend to be a hindrance when searching for shooting stars. Instead, you should pay attention to your own comfort: warm clothing, warm drinks, a blanket and somewhere to lie down help observers last longer. Patience is particularly important. (Tab)