January Meteor Showers 2025: Falling Stars Tonight
In January 2025, two meteor showers will reach their peaks of activity: the Quadrantids and Gamma-Ursae Minorids. Read on to learn when you can see them. To find out the best time for observations in your location, use the free Sky Tonight app.
Contents
- January 2-3: Quadrantids
- January 19: Gamma-Ursae Minorids
- How to see the most shooting stars in January 2025?
- Shooting stars in January 2025: Conclusion
January 2-3: Quadrantids
- ZHR: 110
- Moon illumination: 11%
- Active: December 28 – January 12
- Radiant location: constellation Bootes
- Visible from: Northern Hemisphere
- Visibility forecast: This year, the Quadrantids peak during the 11% illuminated waxing crescent Moon, which provides the perfect viewing conditions. The peak of this meteor shower lasts only about 6 hours, so it's better to keep an eye out for this celestial spectacle from the very beginning of the night.
- Description: The Quadrantids are one of the strongest meteor showers of the year. They can produce up to 200 meteors per hour, but the average hourly rate doesn’t exceed 25 meteors. However, they are known for their bright, colorful fireballs. These fireballs can be seen even a few days after the meteor shower’s peak. Given the clear dark sky and good weather, they can provide a spectacular show. For more information and tips on observing the Quadrantids, see our dedicated article.
January 19: Gamma-Ursae Minorids
- ZHR: 3
- Moon illumination: 75%
- Active: January 15-25
- Radiant location: constellation Ursa Minor
- Visible from: Northern Hemisphere
- Visibility forecast: In 2025, the observing conditions for the Gamma-Ursae Minorids (γ-Ursae Minorids) are not favorable. The meteor shower occurs during the waning gibbous Moon, which will wash away most of the meteors.
- Description: γ-Ursae Minorids have little to boast about — it’s a weak meteor stream with a peak rate of only three meteors per hour. It has been annually observed by the International Meteor Organisation but is not well studied yet.
How to see the most shooting stars in January 2025?
For any meteor shower, the higher the radiant in the sky, the more meteors you are likely to see. If you want to know the position of the radiant for your location, use our stargazing app Sky Tonight:
- Open the app and type the name of the meteor shower in the search field.
- Tap on the radiant of the fitting meteor shower and go to the “Events” tab.
- The middle time in the “Visible Passes” section indicates the time of the radiant’s highest position in the sky. Tap on it to see where the radiant will be on the sky map.
For more tips on observing meteor showers, read our dedicated article. And take our quiz about shooting stars to test your meteor hunting skills!
Shooting stars in January 2025: Conclusion
The Quadrantids are the real highlight of January’s sky in 2025. During their peak, the Moon will be only 11% illuminated, and we might see around 110 meteors per hour! Set a notification in the Sky Tonight app so as not to miss the Quadrantids! The Gamma-Ursae Minorids are much less productive (up to 3 meteors per hour). In addition, during their peak, the Moon will be 75% illuminated, which may interfere with observations.
We wish you clear skies and happy observations!
