One of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers has arrived just in time for the year-end celebrations – and it’s not long before it reaches its peak.
The Geminids meteor shower has returned since mid-November, and when it peaks in early December, it will offer “views of one of the most productive meteor showers of the year against the darkness of the winter sky”, according to experts.
Dr. Minjae Kim, a researcher in the physics department at the University of Warwick, said: “An interesting feature of the Geminids is the bright spot, where the meteors appear from, rising in the middle of the night.
“This means you can start watching this shower at night rather than other meteor showers.
“These meteors are known for their brightness, speed and typically yellow color.”
Here’s how to catch the best.
Geminids are bright, fast, and colorful and radiant – the point in the sky from which they appear – is the constellation ‘Gemini’ – or ‘twins’. The constellation is not the source of the meteors, but their specific names help people identify the showers they see.
NASA says that although the Geminid is now one of the highest meteor showers, it was not always considered important, especially when it first appeared in 1862, with viewing capacity limited to 10 or 20 meteors per hour.
Since then, the Geminids have risen to the top of the list of the most exciting and extraordinary meteor showers that offer a great viewing experience. It is expected to intensify every year. Currently, the shower produces 120 to 150 meteors at its peak, but the number seen can be much lower due to factors including light pollution.
The Geminids meteors appear to radiate from near the star Castor in the constellation Gemini.
However, the real source of the shooting star is a stream of debris left by the rock asteroid 3200 Phaethon, making this shower the only large one that does not come from a comet.
Where do meteors come from?
Meteors are up to 4.6 billion years old and come from the remains of comet particles and bits from asteroids – others can come from Mars or the moon. As these objects orbit the Sun, they leave behind dusty trails.
Every year, the Earth passes through this debris trail, as the bits collide with the atmosphere where they break up to create spectacular streaks across the sky.
The Perseid meteor shower is another highlight of the stargazing calendar.
How to watch the Geminids this year
Fortunately, no astronomical tools are needed to see the shower.
Most people will be able to see a glimpse from morning to evening. Since the shower is scheduled to start around 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., this is one of the best opportunities to see the young stars.
The shower will be visible around the world as it lasts for a maximum of 24 hours.
To see the Geminids, people are advised to wrap up the heat and find a place away from city lights or street lights such as parks, countryside and locations away from the city center. When lying down and looking up, stargazers should have their feet facing south, taking in as much of the sky as possible. And it’s as simple as that!
However, general guidelines for viewing include remaining patients. In 30 minutes in the dark, people’s eyes have to adapt to the meteor. It is good to minimize the use of the phone, and look up into the dark sky and not directly at the radiant, as doing so can limit the number of meteors seen. Meteors are mainly white or yellow, but can also be green, red, and blue.
Dr Kim added: “In the UK I recommend you go out around 6-7pm, giving yourself enough time to adjust to the night sky, increasing the visibility of meteors.
“The best viewing spots will be somewhere away from city lights – so rural areas will get the best viewing experience.”
The Geminids meteor shower returns on November 19 this year. However, stargazers can be sure that it has not yet peaked and will do so in the evening. Thursday, December 14th when the shower will offer meteors at least every hour.
Geminids can best be observed from midnight and into the early hours before dawn when the bright spot is higher in the sky.
The viewing experience will be available to people until December 24.
