Posted on 12/11/2018 3:21:42 PM PST by ETL
Stargazers, get ready to bundle up as you catch one of the best meteor shows of the year — the Geminid meteor shower.
A sprinkle of stars will be visible in the night's sky this week as the winter meteor shower makes its annual appearance. The meteor shower, which contains debris from 3200 Phaethon, is expected to peak Thursday night into Friday morning, shooting anywhere between 60 to 120 meteors per hour. The space rocks will zoom by, hitting Earth at around 22 miles per second, according to the American Meteor Society (AMS). ..."
Geminid meteors are small chunks of rock that break off the famous 3200 Phaethon. These particular meteors are named after their point of origin — the constellation Gemini.
“The meteor shower is triggered by an interesting object. 3200 Phaethon is a comet/asteroid hybrid. It orbits the sun every 550+ days. This object puts out a fresh batch of debris every other year. This makes the Geminid meteor shower very consistent. Some argue it is actually increasing in intensity,” Accuweather astronomy expert Dave Samuhel explains. ..."
When can I see the Geminid meteor shower?
Technically, meteors will be flying across all week. But your best bet at witnessing a fireball in action will be overnight on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14 — when the shower reaches its peak. You’ll be able to catch the most meteors around 2 a.m. on that night.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Which sector to gaze into
Just found it N N E
The constellation Gemini, just north of Orion, should appear to be the source.
Everyone who watches will go blind and then......giant man-eating plants....
Moon Phase = Waxing Crescent
bkmk
Bfl
That is awesome timing. I’m going to be on a boat in the Pacific Ocean right then. I could not get farther away from light sources if I tried.
If it's trips to the Sun is cracking the surface, is it expected to break about on one of its orbits?
*ping*
For as far back as I can remember I got sucked into this massive meteor BS. I live in an rural area with zero light pollution. I have yet to see one stinking meteor.
A few days ago there was talk of the Andromedids being spectacular this year. Did that happen? It was cloudy here so I didn’t have a chance to watch for them.
It’s those asteroids you got to watch out for. Painful sumbitches.
That’s too bad. I live in the city, and yet I often see satellites and meteors. It’s a matter of luck and patience.
A pretty good site to check for where to look for anything skyward:
#6, Day of the Trifids!
Moon sets about 10pm, won’t be an issue
Thanks fieldmarshaldj. Wear a hardhat. :^)
Man, now there’s a movie that should be remade.
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