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The final meteor shower of the year will illuminate the evening sky this Thursday, offering observers the opportunity to witness the stunning celestial event without having to stay up too late.
The annual Geminid meteor shower is set to reach its peak on December 14, with visibility lasting into the early hours of December 15.
This meteor shower is often referred to as a “meteor storm” due to its high intensity, and it is renowned for being one of the most impressive and dependable meteor showers.
Around 150 meteors are predicted to be seen per hour, reaching its highest point around 7:30pm. With the moon moving into a new phase, the lack of light pollution will aid stargazers in observing the phenomenon.
According to Dr. Minjae Kim, a research fellow at the University of Warwick’s physics department, the Geminids meteor shower will reach its peak this week. This will provide a chance to observe one of the most abundant meteor showers of the year against the winter night sky.
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“The Geminids have a unique characteristic where their radiant point, the apparent source of the meteors, appears in the early evening.”
This allows you to begin viewing this meteor shower earlier in the evening compared to other meteor showers.
“These meteors are known for their brightness, speed and typically yellow hue.
The Geminids can be seen all over the world because they reach their peak for almost 24 hours, making them visible during both nighttime and early morning hours.
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During the 1800s, these meteor showers were considered unremarkable with only 10 to 20 meteors per hour. However, they have since transformed into a significant astronomical event known as the Geminids.
He suggested leaving around 6-7pm in the UK to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark sky, which will improve your ability to see the meteors.
For the optimal viewing experience, it is recommended to find a location far from city lights. Therefore, rural areas would be the ideal spot.
The Geminids come from a solid asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which has an orbit similar to a comet. They were initially seen in 1862.
Small fragments of interplanetary debris, known as meteors, seem to originate near the prominent star Castor in the Gemini constellation.
The Geminids, as reported by the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, possess a unique characteristic of displaying multiple colors, including white, yellow, green, red, and blue.
The presence of metals such as sodium and calcium, which are also used in creating colorful fireworks, is partially responsible for this phenomenon.
The patterns observed in the dark sky may be a result of tiny particles, even as small as a grain of sand. It is believed that the Geminids are becoming more intense with each passing year.
According to Dr. Kim, it is interesting to note that in the mid-1800s, these meteor showers were considered to be unimpressive, with only 10 to 20 meteors visible per hour.
“Nevertheless, the Geminids have transformed into a significant occurrence in astronomy over the years.”
To have the greatest opportunity of spotting the Geminids, it is crucial to prepare for cold temperatures. Viewers should lie down on their backs with their feet facing south in order to get the optimal view of the sky.
Dr. Kim suggested using a red light filter on your phone as an alternative to turning it off completely. This can help protect your night vision while still allowing you to use your phone.
Furthermore, using a smartphone with an app for tracking the sky can be useful in finding the Gemini constellation, making your experience of watching meteors even better.
The display goes on until morning, providing plenty of chances to observe – aided by the extended nights of December.
Source: independent.co.uk
