First Meteor Shower of 2015 to Peak on January 3-4

MOSCOW, January 3 (Sputnik) – The first meteor shower of 2015, known as the Quadrantids, is expected to peak on January 3 – 4, according to NASA.

The meteor shower, which originates from asteroid 2003 EH1, is active from December 28, 2014, and January 12, 2015. It will boast as many as 80 meteors per hour. However, the peak activity of the Quadrantids is short-lived lasting only a few hours since the shower’s stream of particles is thin.

The Quadrantids, first observed in 1825, are famous for their bright fireball meteors. NASA describes them as "larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak."

The annual meteor shower is best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere. This year, it can best be observed from the central and Southwest US, according to the Washington Post. The Guardian reports those living in Europe and Asia have the best chance of catching the event.

Stargazers are advised to choose a place away from big cities to escape light pollution. "Be patient — the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse," said NASA.

The meteor shower is named after the constellation of "Quadrans Muralis", created by Jerome Lalande, a French astronomer, in 1795.