Cosmic Show Tonight: Supermoon Meets Quadrantids 🌕✨
Looking up at the sky tonight? You are in for a treat! On January 3, the first supermoon of 2026 lights up our skies, and if that was not enough, the Quadrantid meteor shower peaks early on January 4. Talk about a double dose of cosmic wonder! 🚀
What is a Supermoon? A supermoon happens when the full moon lines up near perigee — the closest point to Earth in its orbit. It looks bigger and brighter than usual, like a giant glowing orb. Perfect for late-night photos! 📸
Lucky us — 2026 has two supermoons (January 3 and December 24), says Liu Zhongli from the Chinese Astronomical Society. Tonight’s is just the starter! 🌝
Quadrantid Meteor Shower 101 The Quadrantids run from December 28 to January 12 each year, with peak action around January 4. They are one of the “Big Three” Northern Hemisphere showers alongside the Perseids (August) and Geminids (December). Known for bright fireballs, you could spot around 100 meteors per hour during a short peak window. 🌠
Best Watching Tips
- Find a dark spot away from city lights. Roof terraces or open fields work great.
- Give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust to the dark — no phone screens! 📵
- Download a stargazing app (like Stellarium or SkyView) to track the moon and meteor radiant.
- Bundle up or grab a warm drink — those early morning hours can get chilly in northern areas. ☕
Whether you are in Mumbai, Manila, or Jakarta, this celestial combo is easy to catch with the naked eye. Just look toward the northeast after midnight for meteors and enjoy the supermoon hanging high. Tag your squad, set an alarm, and get ready for a night to remember! 🌌
Happy stargazing! ✨
Reference(s):
Supermoon and Quadrantid meteor shower to light up night sky
cgtn.com
