January 2022 Sky Events: Here Are The Things Stargazers Should Look Up This Month

The night sky in 2022 is expected to be filled with cosmic marvels. As the night sky fills with unique occurrences in the new year, stargazing will begin after Jan. 2. Because the evenings before and following the new moon will be the darkest, January will be excellent for detecting planets and stars in the sky.

Here's a list of some of the most beautiful celestial events to mark on your calendar for January.

New Moon: Jan. 2

The new moon will rise in the night skies after Jan. 2, when it will be aligned with the sun on the other side of the Earth. The new moon rises during the day, closer to the sun's glare, leaving it mostly invisible. Because sunlight can only access the far side of a new moon and the moon is in the same sky as the sun, Earth's natural satellite is fully obscured for approximately a day.

Because the nights are dark during new moon nights, they are ideal for stargazing. NOAA's SciJinks said New Moon could cause high tides due to the moon body's greater gravitational attraction. During the new moon phase, the moon's gravitational pull combines with the sun's to lift ocean waves in the same direction, causing greater speed and currents.

Quadrantids Meteor Shower: Jan. 2 to 3

The Quadrantid meteor shower is now active, but it will reach its peak on the evenings of January 2 and 3. American Meteor Society (AMS) said that unlike most other meteor showers caused by comets, the Quadrantids are caused by asteroid 2003 EH1. This item is especially perplexing since it is thought to be either a "dead comet" or a new kind of object known as a "rock comet."

Skywatchers would not want to miss the sky event, regardless of its parent object.

Moon Moves Close to Jupiter: Jan. 5

On Jan. 5, after sunset, look southwest to catch a glimpse of the crescent moon near to Jupiter. According to NASA, the two celestial bodies will barely be four degrees apart, making them appear to be one.

First Quarter Moon: Jan. 9

The moon will be half-illuminated on its eastern side as it fulfills the first quarter of its orbit around Earth at 1:11 p.m. EST (or 18:11 GMT) on Sunday, Jan. 9. Space.com said the relative positions of the Earth, sun, and moon will lead us to view it half-illuminated. The moon always rises about midday and sets around midnight in the first quarter. Thus it may be seen in the afternoon sky. The lunar topography is best seen in the evenings surrounding the first quarter, strikingly lighted by low-angled sunlight.

Moon, Mars, Venus Conjunction: Jan. 29

Finally, on Jan. 29, those who get up early will be able to see the moon near to Mars. In addition to the two, Venus will be visible from the southeastern horizon.

Venus is now rising before the sun and is known as the "morning star." After crossing the sun, Mars returns to the sky. Business Insider said the planet will get brighter in the following months as it approaches Jupiter and Saturn.

Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times.