How to catch the Quadrantids, the first meteor shower of 2025

WASHINGTON — When the Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on Friday, it will be the year’s first chance to see fireballs in the sky. Here’s what to know about the Quadrantids and other meteor showers. Sometimes the surrounding air glows briefly, leaving behind a fiery tail — the end of a “shooting star.” You don’t need special equipment to see the various meteor showers that flash across annually, just a spot away from city lights. How to view a meteor shower The best time to watch a meteor shower is in the early predawn hours, when the moon is low in the sky.