Peak times by location include:
- New York: 5:03 a.m. EST
- London: 10:03 a.m. GMT
- Tokyo: 7:03 p.m. JST
- Beijing: 6:03 p.m. CST
- Sydney: 9:03 p.m. AEDT
On January 3, bright Jupiter will also appear less than four degrees to the right of the Moon—close enough to fit within the span of three fingers held at arm’s length.
Quadrantid Meteor Showers Under a Wolf Moon
The Quadrantid meteor showers are active from December 26, 2025, through January 16, 2026, with a sharp peak just before dawn on January 4, according to EarthSky. Under ideal conditions, Quadrantids can produce up to 200 meteors per hour, making them one of the most intense showers of the year.
However, the brilliance of the Wolf Moon will significantly reduce visibility. NASA estimates observers may see closer to 10 meteors per hour this year, as moonlight washes out fainter streaks. Still, brighter fireballs may break through the glare.
The shower is named after the obsolete constellation Quadrans Muralis, first defined in 1795 by French astronomer Jérôme Lalande. Although it is no longer officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union, the meteor shower bearing its name remains a January highlight.
