Attention stargazers and meteor enthusiasts! This is the week to grab your telescope and prepare for a dazzling celestial display! From January 25 to 31, 2025, the skies will offer a unique opportunity for meteor observation, especially as we approach the new moon on January 29. With the moon positioned near the sun and below the horizon at night, it won't compete for your attention, making for ideal conditions to watch shooting stars.

This weekend, the waning crescent moon will rise early in the morning, meaning the night sky will remain dark and perfect for catching meteors. For those lucky enough to live in mid-northern latitudes (around 45°N), you can expect to see an estimated total hourly rate of around 3 meteors during the evening, and for morning observers, that number can jump to approximately 10. Similarly, those residing in the tropical southern hemisphere (at around 25°S) can anticipate rates of 4 meteors in the evening and up to 11 in the morning.

Keep in mind that these estimates vary based on several factors. Your local weather conditions, light pollution in your area, as well as your own alertness and experience observing meteor activity, will greatly influence your viewing experience. Remember, if you're situated in an urban area, you'll likely only see the brighter meteors against the light of the city.

The meteor activity remains relatively stable throughout this period, so star maps can be particularly helpful for locating the radiant, which is the point in the sky where meteors appear to originate. For Saturday night into Sunday morning (January 25/26), the locations of notable radiants are as follows:

1. Anthelion (ANT)

With a radiant located in eastern Cancer at coordinates 09:17 (139) +15, the Anthelion meteors will peak near 01:00 local standard time, providing the best viewing conditions. Expect to see about 3 meteors per hour in the northern hemisphere, and less than 2 per hour in the southern hemisphere.

2. Comae Berenicids (COM)

Though this shower peaked on December 19, it will still be visible until February 4. The radiant is positioned at 12:55 (194) +14, and for best results, look around 05:00 LST when it is highest in the sky. However, current activity rates will be lower, at less than 1 meteor per hour, producing mainly swift meteors at an entry velocity of 63 km/s.

In addition to these showers, sporadic meteors, which are not associated with any specific shower, will contribute significantly to the meteor activity. During this period, observers in the mid-northern hemisphere can expect around 7 sporadic meteors per hour in the hour leading up to dawn, while evening observations might yield about 2 meteors. In contrast, tropical southern observers could witness about 9 sporadic meteors early in the morning and around 3 during the evening.

Don’t forget to position yourself optimally for watching the meteors. Center your gaze so the radiant lies toward the edge of your field of vision, allowing you to trace the meteors' trails back to their origin.

Mark Your Calendars!

Don’t miss out on this thrilling celestial event, where the night sky may just come alive with shooting stars. Gather your friends, plan a road trip to a dark sky location, and prepare to be captivated by the wonders of the universe! Happy stargazing!