The first meteor shower of the year, the Quadrantids, will be visible in the sky in January

The year 2025 will begin with a celestial show worthy of a new and glorious beginning! January, the first month of the calendar, will bring an invitation to the skies to renew our admiration for the universe: among starry nights and impressive glimpses of neighboring planets, the night sky will be a reminder of the infinity that surrounds us!

January’s astronomical highlights It is responsible for the Quadrantid meteor shower, which promises to illuminate the beginning of the year with a light show in the sky..

In the first days of 2025, the peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower will occur on the night of January 3 and in the early morning hours of January 4.

This is a medium-sized event that can produce up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. It is believed to be produced from dust grains left behind by an extinct comet known as 2003 EH1, which was discovered about 20 years ago.

Rain occurs between January 1 and 5 each year, and this year the crescent Moon will set in the early evening, leaving the sky dark enough for a perfect show.

It is best to find a dark place after midnight for better visibility. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Bootes, and although they are best seen in the Northern Hemisphere, they can appear anywhere in the sky.

On January 10, the planet Venus will reach its greatest eastern elongation of 47.2 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to see Venus because it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the night sky.. The planet will be the brightest spot in the western sky just after sunset.

KristiOn the 16th, Red planet Mars will be closest to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than at other times of the year and will be visible all night. This will be the best time to see and photograph it!

Using apps like Carta Celeste, Stellarium and Star Walk 2 are great allies for observing and identifying objects in the sky!

Calendar of major astronomical events for January 2025

03/01 and 04/01: Maximum activity of the Quadrantid meteor shower;

06/01: The Moon is in its First Quarter;

10/01: Venus at greatest eastern elongation (best visualization);

01/13: full moon;

01/16: Mars is closest to Earth;

01/21: The Moon is in its First Quarter;

01/29: New moon;

Clear skies and good observations!

Always be informed about all astronomy events in 2025 on TecMundo and take the opportunity to share the January astronomical calendar on your social networks!