This photo shows a quadrant used by astronomers of the Sendai clan around 1850. (Photo courtesy of Sendai Astronomical Observatory)

       The Mainichi Shimbun answers some common questions readers may have about the Quadrantid meteor shower that is expected to be visible from the Earth early January 2022.

       Question: Is it true there will be another meteor shower at the beginning of 2022?

       Answer: Yes, it's the Quadrantid meteor shower. The greatest number of shooting stars as part of this natural wonder will be seen in Japan on the morning of Jan. 4, 2022. It is one of the three major annual meteor showers along with the Geminids in December and the Perseids in August. Although the Quadrantid meteor shower is a bit subdued compared to the other two, the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) says that it will have "excellent observing conditions rarely seen in recent years" because the moon will not be out this time.

       The meteors will start to appear around 1 a.m. on Jan. 4, and will be most visible between 5-6 a.m., so you will need to stay up late or get up early. If it's dark enough, you may be able to see about 50 shooting stars per hour.

       Q: By the way, where does the name Quadrantid come from?

       A: From the constellation Quadrans Muralis. The constellation was named after a fan-shaped instrument called a quadrant, used for astronomical observations, with a scale at one quarter of the circumference or 90 degrees. It was mainly used in the 16th to 18th centuries.

       However, the constellation was not selected by the International Astronomical Union in 1928, which determined the current 88 constellations. So, it is not recognized as a constellation today. It is located near the boundary between the constellations Bootes and Draco, and the Quadrantid meteor shower is centered there and streams in all directions.

       Q: I've heard that shooting stars are dust that have entered the Earth's atmosphere. Why do they all enter at once?

       A: The dust, which forms meteor showers like grains of sand, is emitted by comets and asteroids orbiting the sun. Dust remains in their path, and when the Earth crosses them, the dust enters the atmosphere. The source of the dust in the Quadrantid meteor shower is unknown, but it is believed to be an asteroid discovered in 2003.

       Q: So, each meteor shower has its own origin?

       A: That's right. The Destiny+ spacecraft, which will be launched by Japan in fiscal 2024, will observe Phaethon, the asteroid causing the Geminid meteor shower. It will be exciting to see the source of the shooting stars.

       (Japanese original by Tomohiro Ikeda, Science & Environment News Department)

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