geminids geminid viewing meteors shower peak meteor december instructions!
The Geminids are a meteor shower caused by an object named 3200 Phaethon,[1] which is thought to be an extinct comet. The meteors from this shower can be seen in mid-December and usually peak around 12–14 of the month. The Geminid shower is thought to be intensifying every year and recent showers have seen 120–160 meteors per hour under optimal conditions. The Geminids were first observed only 150 years ago, much more recently than other showers such as the Perseids and Leonids.
This time Geminid meteor shower will peak on Dec. 13th and 14th under ideal viewing conditions. A new Moon will keep skies dark for a display that Cooke and others say could top 140 meteors per hour. According to the International Meteor Organization, maximum activity should occur around 12:10 a.m. EST (0510 UT) on Dec. 14th. Though not as famous as the Perseid meteor shower, the Geminids often put on a more dramatic display. Geminid meteors are relatively slow moving, and many leave smoke trails that can last a number of seconds.
Meteors are small particles of rock and metal that Earth runs into during its orbit around the Sun. In space, these particles are called meteoroids. When they burn up in the atmosphere, they are called meteors. If they survive the fiery ordeal through our thick blanket of air and land on Earth, they become meteorites. No meteorites come from meteor showers the particles are too small.
To maximize the chances of seeing meteors, choose a dark site and look up slightly facing east, ‘Dark’ means at least 40 miles from a major city. And you can leave your telescope home. “You don’t need optical aid (a telescope or binoculars) to observe the Geminids. Your eyes alone work best for meteor showers because they don’t restrict your field of view.” That said, binoculars will help you follow any long-lived smoke trail.
Have a good time!!
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