The whole universe is celebrating the coming of 2022! Apparently, the galaxy was booked on New Year’s Eve this year, though, because the big midnight party in the sky isn’t happening until midnight on January 3, 2022. The name of this galactic New Year’s Bash? The Quadrantids Meteor Shower.

Every year during the first week in January, the night sky above West Virginia fills with shooting stars.

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This year is no exception: the Quadrantids Meteor Shower is expected from January 1 to January 5, with its peak near midnight on January 3 and extending into the early morning hours of January 4.

NASA/Bill Ingalls

At the peak, astronomers and sky experts are expecting to spot up to 40 visible meteors per hour flashing across the sky! And that number could theoretically be even higher - in years past, stargazers have occasionally spotted a burst of 80 to 120 visible meteors per hour.

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Either way, the Quadrantids is definitely an above average meteor shower that you won’t want to miss if you can help it. And 2022 will be an above average year to view this spectacular sky show. Only a thin crescent moon will light the sky in that first week of January, and even that sliver of light will set early in the evening.

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As long as there’s no cloud cover, this should make for some excellent, extra-dark-sky viewing for this celestial event.

NASA/Bill Ingalls

The Quadrantids Meteor Shower is thought to be caused by leftover dust grains from the extinct comet 2003 EH1. The shower radiates from The Herdsman Constellation, otherwise known as Bootes. However, you could spot a meteor anywhere in the sky during this shower.

NASA/Bill Ingalls

Will you be up with a cup of coffee in the wee hours of January 4, looking for meteors? What a memorable way to start a new year. To make the most of the viewing, find a nice dark sky to gaze into (this shouldn’t be hard – West Virginia is full of ’em!).

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NASA/Bill Ingalls

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