The Quadrantids (QUA) are active Dec 28 – Jan 12 and peak around January 03, 2027, with a zenithal hourly rate of about 80 under ideal skies. They come from asteroid 2003 EH1, hit the atmosphere at 41 km/s, and are best seen late night to dawn. The moon will be about 17% illuminated at the peak.
Peak
Jan 03
2027
ZHR
80
meteors/hour, ideal sky
Moon at peak
17%
Waning Crescent
Radiant
RA 230°
Dec +49°
Quadrantids 2027: best time and expected rate by state
| State | Best time (local) | Radiant altitude | Est. rate/hour (dark sky) | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5:19 AM | 54° | 65 | 16% (up) |
| Alaska | 7:02 AM | 67° | 74 | 15% (up) |
| Arizona | 5:57 AM | 54° | 65 | 16% (up) |
| Arkansas | 5:42 AM | 55° | 66 | 16% (up) |
| California | 5:27 AM | 55° | 66 | 16% (up) |
| Colorado | 5:46 AM | 58° | 68 | 16% (up) |
| Connecticut | 5:28 AM | 59° | 69 | 17% (up) |
| Delaware | 5:41 AM | 58° | 68 | 17% (up) |
| District of Columbia | 5:48 AM | 58° | 68 | 17% (up) |
| Florida | 5:53 AM | 49° | 60 | 17% (up) |
| Georgia | 6:06 AM | 54° | 65 | 16% (up) |
| Hawaii | 5:32 AM | 41° | 52 | 15% (up) |
| Idaho | 6:28 AM | 62° | 71 | 16% (up) |
| Illinois | 5:34 AM | 59° | 69 | 16% (up) |
| Indiana | 6:25 AM | 58° | 68 | 16% (up) |
| Iowa | 5:49 AM | 59° | 69 | 16% (up) |
| Kansas | 6:07 AM | 58° | 68 | 16% (up) |
| Kentucky | 6:19 AM | 58° | 68 | 16% (up) |
| Louisiana | 5:28 AM | 50° | 61 | 16% (up) |
| Maine | 5:24 AM | 62° | 71 | 17% (up) |
| Maryland | 5:46 AM | 58° | 68 | 17% (up) |
| Massachusetts | 5:20 AM | 59° | 69 | 17% (up) |
| Michigan | 6:31 AM | 62° | 71 | 16% (up) |
| Minnesota | 5:56 AM | 62° | 71 | 16% (up) |
| Mississippi | 5:31 AM | 54° | 65 | 16% (up) |
| Missouri | 5:49 AM | 58° | 68 | 16% (up) |
| Montana | 6:31 AM | 65° | 73 | 16% (up) |
| Nebraska | 6:16 AM | 59° | 69 | 16% (up) |
| Nevada | 5:24 AM | 58° | 68 | 16% (up) |
| New Hampshire | 5:34 AM | 62° | 71 | 17% (up) |
| New Jersey | 5:36 AM | 59° | 69 | 17% (up) |
| New Mexico | 5:37 AM | 55° | 66 | 16% (up) |
| New York | 5:32 AM | 59° | 69 | 17% (up) |
| North Carolina | 5:58 AM | 55° | 66 | 17% (up) |
| North Dakota | 6:23 AM | 62° | 71 | 16% (up) |
| Ohio | 6:09 AM | 59° | 69 | 16% (up) |
| Oklahoma | 5:58 AM | 55° | 66 | 16% (up) |
| Oregon | 5:56 AM | 62° | 71 | 16% (up) |
| Pennsylvania | 5:45 AM | 59° | 69 | 17% (up) |
| Rhode Island | 5:22 AM | 59° | 69 | 17% (up) |
| South Carolina | 5:56 AM | 54° | 65 | 17% (up) |
| South Dakota | 5:41 AM | 62° | 71 | 16% (up) |
| Tennessee | 5:11 AM | 55° | 66 | 16% (up) |
| Texas | 5:55 AM | 50° | 61 | 16% (up) |
| Utah | 6:05 AM | 58° | 68 | 16% (up) |
| Vermont | 5:39 AM | 62° | 71 | 17% (up) |
| Virginia | 5:57 AM | 58° | 68 | 17% (up) |
| Washington | 5:49 AM | 62° | 71 | 16% (up) |
| West Virginia | 6:02 AM | 58° | 68 | 17% (up) |
| Wisconsin | 5:44 AM | 62° | 71 | 16% (up) |
| Wyoming | 6:10 AM | 62° | 71 | 16% (up) |
Computed for each state's central location on the peak night. Rate = ZHR × sin(radiant altitude); light pollution and haze reduce it further.
How to photograph a meteor shower
- Use your widest fast lens (14–24 mm, f/1.4–2.8) and point it about 45–60° away from the radiant, where meteors leave longer trails.
- Shoot continuously with an intervalometer: 10–25 s exposures at ISO 1600–6400 for as long as the batteries last.
- Bright meteors are rare — expect a handful of keepers from hundreds of frames, then composite them.
- Dew forms quickly on clear nights; a lens heater band saves the session.
- Choose a dark location from the state pages below and arrive before astronomical dusk to set up.
FAQ
When do the Quadrantids peak in 2027?
Around January 03, 2027; activity runs Dec 28 – Jan 12.
What time is best to watch the Quadrantids?
Late night to dawn, when the radiant is highest and the sky is darkest.
Will the moon interfere with the Quadrantids in 2027?
The moon is about 17% lit at the peak. That is close to ideal.