Avid sky-watchers eagerly await the Geminid meteor shower each year, and it’s finally here! This weekend, expect a stunning display with dozens of meteors, including brilliant fireballs. Many enthusiasts consider this one of the best meteor showers of the year.
The Geminids will peak from 10 p.m. ET on Saturday to early Sunday, according to EarthSky. This year, the moon will be 34% full, offering excellent viewing conditions. In clear skies, suburban stargazers might see 20 meteors per hour. Those in darker areas could catch up to 50 meteors during peak hours. “In rural spots, you could even spot a meteor every minute,” says Robert Lunsford, fireball report coordinator for the American Meteor Society.
For the best viewing experience, those in the Northern Hemisphere should look east around 10 p.m., while observers in the Southern Hemisphere should watch the northern sky around 2 a.m. Meteors seen early in the night, called Earth-grazers, can last longer than others. This is because they don’t plunge deep into the atmosphere right away, making them appear longer and more captivating.
Fireballs are especially notable during the Geminids; they shine brighter and can be colorful, making them easy to spot. These meteors are especially friendly for photographers. “They move more slowly than the Perseids, so they show up better with long exposure shots,” Lunsford advises. A shutter speed of 15 to 30 seconds is ideal for capturing these cosmic wonders.
If you miss the peak night, don’t worry. The Geminids can be seen in the days leading up to and following the peak. However, Lunsford suggests stargazing a day or two before the peak, as the display is not perfectly symmetrical. It builds up gradually and then declines quickly after reaching its height.
The Geminids originate from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which sheds particles as it orbits the sun. This debris is what creates the meteor shower when Earth passes through it. Interestingly, the meteors appear to come from the Gemini constellation, which rises in the east around sunset.
As we near the end of the year, there’s another meteor shower to look forward to—the Ursids. It’s expected to peak on the night of December 21 into the early morning of December 22. With a barely visible crescent moon, winter will provide dark skies, perfect for more stargazing.
This cosmic ballet of meteors not only enchants regular viewers but also contributes to our understanding of celestial events and enhances our connection to the universe. So grab a blanket, find a dark spot, and enjoy the magic of the Geminid meteor shower!
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