Skygazers are in for a rare celestial treat as the Quadrantids meteor shower, the first major meteor event of 2026, peaks during the same night as the year's first supermoon. This unique astronomical coincidence will unfold on the night of Friday, January 3, into the early hours of Saturday, January 4. While both events promise a spectacular display, the bright moonlight from the "Wolf Supermoon" will make spotting the fainter shooting stars a challenge for observers.
The Quadrantids: A Short, Intense Meteor Show
The Quadrantids meteor shower is active from late December 2025 through early January 2026, with its peak expected between the night of January 3 and the predawn hours of January 4, 2026. This shower is known for its brief but intense peak, lasting only a few hours, unlike most other meteor showers that stretch their peak activity over two days. Under ideal dark sky conditions, the Quadrantids can produce between 60 to 200 meteors per hour. These meteors are also famous for their bright fireballs, which are larger and longer-lasting bursts of light. The meteors enter Earth's atmosphere at high speeds, around 40 to 70 kilometers per second.[science+17]
Unlike most meteor showers that originate from comets, the Quadrantids stem from an asteroid called 2003 EH1. Scientists believe 2003 EH1 might be a "dead comet" or a "rock comet," meaning it once had ice and other volatile materials that have since evaporated. This asteroid takes about 5.5 years to orbit the Sun. The meteors appear to radiate from an area in the sky that was once an obsolete constellation named "Quadrans Muralis," located between the constellations Boötes and Draco, near the handle of the Big Dipper.Observers in the Northern Hemisphere have the best view of this shower.[nhm+23]
January's Wolf Supermoon Illuminates the Sky
Coinciding with the meteor shower, the first supermoon of 2026, traditionally known as the "Wolf Moon," will reach its peak illumination early on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 5:03 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST).The term "supermoon" is not an official astronomical designation but was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979.It describes a Full or New Moon that occurs when the Moon is at or very near its closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, a point called perigee.[smithsonianmag+13]
During a supermoon, the Moon can appear up to 14 percent larger and about 30 percent brighter than a micromoon, which occurs when the Moon is farthest from Earth.However, this difference in size and brightness is often subtle and difficult for the naked eye to detect without a direct comparison.The "Wolf Moon" gets its name from Native American and colonial traditions, referencing the increased howling of wolves during the cold, quiet winter nights of January.Noah Petro, a lunar geologist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, explained that names for full moons are typically based on events happening around that time of year.Supermoons also exert a slightly stronger gravitational pull on Earth, leading to higher tides than normal, though this effect is usually negligible.[smithsonianmag+14]
A Celestial Coincidence with a Catch
The simultaneous occurrence of the Quadrantids peak and the Wolf Supermoon presents a unique viewing opportunity, but also a significant challenge. The sheer brightness of the full supermoon will interfere with the visibility of the meteor shower.The intense moonlight is expected to obscure all but the brightest Quadrantid meteors, making it harder to witness the full spectacle.[nhm+9]
"The biggest enemy of enjoying a meteor shower is the full moon," Mike Shanahan, planetarium director at Liberty Science Center, told the Associated Press.Despite the interference, the Quadrantids are known for producing bright fireballs, which might still be visible through the lunar glow.Robert Lunsford, fireball report coordinator for the American Meteor Society, noted that Quadrantids often produce bright meteors with persistent trails that last a few seconds.[smithsonianmag+4]
Tips for Skywatchers
For those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Quadrantids despite the bright supermoon, several viewing tips can improve the experience. The most crucial step is to find a location far away from city lights and other sources of light pollution.Once at your viewing spot, allow your eyes at least 15 to 30 minutes to fully adjust to the darkness.[planetary+9]
NASA recommends lying flat on your back with your feet facing northeast to take in as much of the sky as possible.Dress warmly, as January nights are cold in the Northern Hemisphere, and consider bringing a blanket or a comfortable chair.Viewing before the Moon fully dominates the sky, or in the early dawn hours of Saturday, January 4, might offer a better chance to spot meteors."Heading out early in the evening—before the moon dominates the sky—to an area with low light pollution may be your best bet to see the shooting stars," Jacque Benitez, assistant manager of planetarium programs at the California Academy of Sciences, told the Associated Press. Additionally, the planet Jupiter will appear close to the Wolf Supermoon, offering another celestial object to observe.[science+11]
Beyond the January Spectacle
While the January events kick off 2026 with a dual celestial show, the year will feature other significant astronomical phenomena. After the Wolf Supermoon, two more supermoons are expected in 2026, occurring in November and December. Other notable meteor showers throughout the year include the Lyrids in April, the Perseids in August, and the Geminids in December, with the Perseids often offering excellent viewing conditions when coinciding with a new moon.[skyatnightmagazine+1]
This weekend's convergence of the Quadrantids meteor shower and the Wolf Supermoon offers a unique start to the astronomical year. Despite the challenges posed by the bright moonlight, patient skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere may still be rewarded with glimpses of bright fireballs streaking across the night sky.[nhm+2]
