The Geminid meteor showerwill reach its peak on Friday night, continuing into early Saturday morning. This year’s display, however, comes with a unique challenge: the glow of a nearly full moon will make it harder to catch the fainter meteors streaking across the sky.
While the moon’s brightness might dull the show, NASA assures skywatchers that the Geminids are known for their brilliance. “If you’re up before dawn that week, it’s worth looking up, just in case you spot a speck of dust from space streaking through the morning sky,” said NASA.
The Geminids are known for their resilience, with shooting stars often visible up to a week before the peak. If you’re an early riser, it’s worth taking a moment to look up – you might catch a glimpse of a cosmic dust particle blazing through the morning sky.
“The Geminid meteor shower peaks after midnight in the early morning of December 14th, and they’re usually one of the best meteor showers of the year under good conditions. This year, the nearly full Moon will wash out the fainter meteors on the peak night. Still, the Geminids are known for bright meteors, and it’s common to spot their shooting stars up to a week before the peak. If you’re up before dawn that week, it’s worth looking up, just in case you spot a speck of dust from space streaking through the morning sky.”
When and where to watch the meteor shower
The Geminid meteor shower will be visible across the globe, but conditions this year are not ideal for optimal viewing. Due to the nearly full moon, the number of visible meteors during the peak will be less.
For the best experience, get away from the bright lights of cities. Find a spot far from urban glare, lie back with your feet pointed south, and give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the dark sky. For comfort, NASA recommends bringing a blanket or sleeping bag to keep warm during the chilly night.
A Cosmic phenomenon: What’s a meteor shower?
According to NASA, a meteor is a small piece of space rock or debris, often referred to as a meteoroid, that enters Earth’s atmosphere at high speed. As it travels through the atmosphere, the intense friction between the meteoroid and the air causes it to heat up and burn, creating a streak of light across the sky. This streak of light is what we commonly call a “shooting star.” Most meteors are small, and they burn up completely before reaching the ground. If a meteoroid survives its journey through the atmosphere and lands on Earth’s surface, it is then referred to as a meteorite.
What makes the Geminids special?
The Geminid meteor shower is special for several reasons. First, it has evolved significantly since it first appeared in the mid-1800s. Initially, it was not a major event, with only 10 to 20 meteors seen per hour. Over time, however, the Geminids have grown in intensity and now rank as one of the most reliable and spectacular meteor showers of the year, with up to 120 meteors visible per hour under ideal conditions.
What makes the Geminids unique is that they are bright, fast meteors, often glowing with a distinctive yellow colour. This is in contrast to many other meteor showers, where meteors typically appear white or colourless. Additionally, the Geminids come from an asteroid, 3200 Phaethon, rather than the usual source of most meteor showers, which is comets. This difference in origin contributes to their brightness and the nature of the shower itself, making the Geminids one of the most exciting and visually striking celestial events.