Geminid Meteor Shower (Photo – Diana Robinson)
It’s that time of year to keep your eyes on the skies!
By Briony James
The Geminid meteor showers are rapidly approaching and will be visible on Dec. 13 and 14 in the Northern Hemisphere and less actively in the Southern Hemisphere.
The result of the debris field of 3200 Phaethon, an asteroid whose orbit takes it close to our Sun every 524 days. Situated nearest the constellation Gemini, this will produce a whopping 120 meteors per hour at its peak on the night of Dec. 14. The moon will be a waxing crescent which will help to create the dark skies needed for optimum viewing. As our Earth speeds through Phaethon’s debris field meteors will seem to radiate outward from its center in Gemini, giving a fine light show for anyone who escapes bright city lights and embraces the dark.
Just in time to celebrate our season of light, look up and enjoy the show!
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