Get ready for the Geminid meteor shower peaking on December 13-14! This natural light show happens when Earth passes through the trail of debris left by the asteroid (3200) Phaethon. You can enjoy a free livestream of the event hosted by the Virtual Telescope Project starting at 4 p.m. EST (2100 GMT) on their YouTube channel. Under ideal conditions, you could see about 150 meteors per hour. However, if you live in a city with lots of lights, don’t worry—you still won’t miss out completely!
If clouds cover the sky or you’re in the southern hemisphere where the meteor shower isn’t visible, tune into the livestream to experience this spectacular event. The stream will show views from a special camera set up in Manciano, Italy—one of the darkest sky spots in the country according to Gianluca Masi, the founder of the Virtual Telescope Project.
To spot the meteors, look for them radiating from the constellation Gemini, near the bright star Castor. The best viewing time is from mid-evening until dawn. This year, a crescent moon will rise a little after midnight, but it shouldn’t heavily affect your viewing, making it easier to catch those shooting stars.
Curious about what makes these shooting stars? They are actually particles from comets and asteroids burning up in our atmosphere, creating stunning flashes of light. If photography is your passion, consider checking out tips on capturing these celestial wonders. Remember, if you take any amazing photos, you can share them with Space.com.
In recent years, the Geminid shower has drawn considerable attention, with many astronomy enthusiasts taking to social media to share their experiences. A survey conducted by the American Astronomical Society found that around 50% of stargazers participate in meteor watching events like this one, highlighting the growing interest in astronomy and night sky observation.
For more astronomy updates, check resources like NASA’s official website and the American Meteor Society’s reports. These organizations often provide in-depth insights and statistics related to meteor occurrences.
