KUSHIMOTO, Wakayama -- The Quadrantid meteor shower, one of the three major meteor showers, reached peak viewing from Japan in the early hours of Jan. 4.

       Shooting stars blazed across the sky above the Kashinozaki lighthouse, a famed astrological observation spot in western Japan's Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture. Another photo-worthy sight was an equestrian statue of Turkish republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, which seemed to be pointing to the streams of light.

       The Quadrantid meteor shower's peak is seen in the skies above Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, on Jan. 4, 2022. Below is a statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Photo taken with a 15-second exposure. (Mainichi/Daiki Takikawa)

       The Quadrantid meteor shower's peak is seen in the skies above Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, on Jan. 4, 2022. Below is a statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Photo taken with 15-second exposure. (Mainichi/Daiki Takikawa)

       As the meteors passed overhead, astronomy fans and others trying to take good photos for the start of the year could be heard gasping at the scene.

       According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the Quadrantids can be seen every year, but viewing conditions were excellent this year because there was very little moonlight.

       The name Quadrantids comes from Quadrans Muralis, a group of stars that lost official constellation status in 1928 when the International Astronomical Union re-evaluated the constellations. Now, the shower can be seen near the Bootes and Draco constellations.

       (Japanese original by Daiki Takikawa, Osaka Photo Department)

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