“Celestial Wonders Await: Your Guide to 2025’s Meteor Shower and Planetary Alignment!”

If you are a skywatcher, then you’re in for an exciting beginning to 2025 – with not just one, but two happenings in the initial month of the year.

A Quadrantid meteor shower is anticipated at the start of January, and a “parade of planets” will be observable later in the month.

Quadrantid meteors consist of debris from a specific asteroid — a dormant one — named 2003 EH1, according to Earthsky.org. The platform additionally mentions that the Quadrantid shower occurs around the same period every year, with three other prominent showers to follow.

“The Quadrantid shower ranks among four major meteor showers each year, noted for its sharp peak (the other three are the Lyrids, Leonids, and Ursids),” Earthsky.org declares.

In terms of a parade of planets, that refers to the alignment of six planets together in the evening sky.

Here are further details on these celestial events.

What exactly is a Quadrantid meteor shower?

The Quadrantids, peaking at the beginning of January each year, are deemed to be “one of the finest annual meteor showers,” as stated by NASA. “Most meteor showers feature a two-day peak, enhancing the likelihood of spotting these additional meteors.”

The meteor shower is triggered by an asteroid known as 2003 EH1.

“It’s thought to be a dormant or extinct comet,” according to Earthsky.org. “The asteroid completes its orbit around the sun in 5.5 years. Its nearest approach to the sun (perihelion) is 1.2 astronomical units.”

When will the next Quadrantid meteor shower occur?

It will be visible during the evenings of Jan. 2 and Jan. 3.

What is the origin of a Quadrantid meteor shower?

“The primary entity producing the Quadrantids is an asteroid referred to as 2003 EH1. It’s believed to be a dormant or extinct comet,” as per Earthsky.org. “The asteroid has a 5.5-year orbital period around the sun. Its closest point to the sun (perihelion) measures 1.2 astronomical units.”

What is a parade of planets?

Per Star Walk, a planetary parade refers to “a celestial phenomenon in which several planets within our solar system appear clustered together in the night sky, viewable simultaneously from Earth, creating an effect reminiscent of a ‘parade’ across the heavens.”

What time will the planetary parade be visible?

As stated by the Farmer’s Almanac, the event is set to commence after dusk on Jan. 10. The planetary lineup in this parade encompasses Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, and Saturn, with the moon positioned right in the center of the formation.

NASA mentioned that the optimal viewing opportunity occurs on Jan. 21, noting that individuals can witness the planets on several nights prior to this peak. Additionally, it will remain visible for some nights following the peak.

Is it possible to observe the meteor shower and planetary parade with the naked eye?

According to NASA, both spectacles can indeed be observed without the aid of telescopes, but it advises on its website, “Seek a location far from city or street lights. Dress adequately for winter conditions with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair. Recline flat on your back with your feet oriented Northeast and gaze upward to take in as much of the sky as you can.”

When will meteor showers occur in 2025?

The Time and Date website indicates that additional meteor showers in 2025 will include: 

• Lyrid meteor shower: April 21–22, 2025
• Eta Aquariid meteor shower: May 4–5, 2025
• Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower: July 29–30, 2025
• Alpha Capricornid meteor shower: July 30–31, 2025
• Perseid meteor shower: July 17–24, 2025
• Draconids meteor shower: Oct. 8, 2025