If you’re a stargazer, then you’re in for a great start to 2025 – with not one, but two events in the first month of the year.
A Quadrantid meteor shower is expected at the beginning of January, and a “parade of planets” can be seen later in the month.
Quadrantid meteors are comprised of fragments from a particular asteroid — a dormant one — called 2003 EH1, according to Earthsky.org. The website also notes that the Quadrantid shower comes about the same time each year, with three other major showers to follow.
“The Quadrantid shower is one of four major meteor showers each year with a sharp peak (the other three are the Lyrids, Leonids, and Ursids),” Earthsky.org states.
As for a parade of planets, that’s when six planets align together in the evening sky.
Here’s more about these skyward events.
What is a Quadrantid meteor shower?
The Quadrantids, which peak in early January each year, are considered to be “one of the best annual meteor showers,” according to NASA. “Most meteor showers have a two-day peak, which makes catching sight of these other meteors much more possible.”
The meteor shower is caused by an asteroid named 2003 EH1.
“It’s believed to be a dormant or extinct comet,” according to Earthsky.org. “The asteroid takes 5.5 years to orbit the sun. Its closest point to the sun (perihelion) is 1.2 astronomical units.”
When is the upcoming Quadrantid meteor shower?
It’ll be visible from the evenings of Jan. 2 and Jan. 3.
What’s the source of a Quadrantid meteor shower?
“The chief object that spawns the Quadrantids is an asteroid named 2003 EH1. It’s believed to be a dormant or extinct comet,” according to Earthsky.org. “The asteroid takes 5.5 years to orbit the sun. Its closest point to the sun (perihelion) is 1.2 astronomical units.”
What is a parade of planets?
A Farmer’s Almanac graphic showing what constitutes a planetary parade.
According to Star Walk, a planetary parade is “a celestial event where multiple planets in our solar system appear close together in the night sky, visible at the same time from Earth, making it look like they are lined up in a sort of ‘parade’ across the sky.”
When will the planetary parade be visible?
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, it will begin after sunset on Jan. 10. The planets in the parade include Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune and Saturn, along with the moon located smack-dab in the middle of the lineup.
NASA noted that the peak time to see the parade is Jan. 21, adding people will be able to observe the planets on all the nights leading up to the peak. It will be visible for a few nights after the peak as well.
Can the meteor shower and planetary parade be seen with the naked eye?
According to NASA, it is possible to see both events with the naked eye, but it noted on its website, “Find an area well away from the city or street lights. Come prepared for winter weather with a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair. Lie flat on your back with your feet facing Northeast and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.”
When are meteor showers happening in 2025?
According to the Time and Date website, other meteor showers in 2025 will include:
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Lyrid meteor shower: April 21–22, 2025
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Eta Aquariid meteor shower: May 4–5, 2025
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Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower: July 29–30, 2025
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Alpha Capricornid meteor shower: July 30–31, 2025
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Perseid meteor shower: July 17–24, 2025
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Draconids meteor shower: Oct. 8, 2025
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Meteor shower, planetary alignment will start 2025. When to see them