Overview
- The January full Moon reached maximum illumination at 5:03 a.m. ET on Jan. 3 as a supermoon, increasing brightness that curtailed views of the Quadrantids meteor shower.
- The Quadrantids peaked Jan. 3 between roughly 4 and 7 p.m. ET, but observers reported fewer visible meteors because of the bright Moon despite the shower’s high potential under dark skies.
- The meteor shower’s debris stream traces to asteroid 2003 EH1 rather than a typical comet, a point noted by scientific institutions tracking the event.
- Viewing guidance from agencies emphasized looking after midnight with the Moon at one’s back and allowing eyes to adapt, acknowledging that moonlight markedly reduced counts.
- Astronomical agencies confirm an annular solar eclipse on Feb. 17 with annularity only over Antarctica and the Southern Ocean and partial phases in southern South America, southern Africa and Madagascar, while Spanish officials project major tourism for the Aug. 12 total eclipse crossing parts of Spain.