January Astronomical Calendar Features a Bevy of Dazzling Sights

Alexis Thornton

Last week

The new year will kick off with a bang in the night skies with the annual Quadrantids meteor shower. The January astronomical calendar also features a full moon, Venus at opposition, a new moon, and more. Here is a look at what you should keep an eye on in the skies after the sun goes down this month.

Quadrantids Meteor Shower - January 2 and 3

The Quadrantids are known as being one of the most significant meteor showers of the early part of the year, peaking with about 40 meteors per hour. While the shower runs every year from January 1 through January 5, the peak night will happen on the night of January 2 and into the early morning hours of January 3. This year's shower will coincide with a crescent moon that will set during the early evening hours, meaning that the skies will be darker for ideal viewing conditions.

You will see the most meteors if you head out after midnight. The meteors radiate from the Bootes constellation, however, you can locate them streaking across all parts of the sky. This particular shower is best seen in the Northern Hemisphere about two-thirds of the way up from the horizon.

The Quadrantids are distinguished by the fact that they originate from the debris left by an asteroid. Conversely, most meteor showers come from the debris left by a comet.

This display gets its name from Quadrans Muralis, a constellation dating back to the 18th century that astronomy experts do not use any longer. The name of the constellation and the shower come from the instrument known as a quadrant, a device used to measure the altitudes of stars and other celestial objects hovering in the night skies.

The Quadrantids are bright enough to be able to see with the naked eye. As with all meteor showers, you will have the best luck racking up the number of sightings if you head away from light pollution.

You will also need Mother Nature to cooperate with your viewing plans. The forecast for the peak night is indicating that the clearest skies will be found in the Northeast, the Desert Southwest, and some portions of the southern Plains.

If you miss the show on the peak night, you will still have a few more nights to bundle up and head outside to see what you can find.