New York’s Staten Island. The Geminids, one of the few significant meteor showers to originate from asteroids, peak on Friday and Saturday night, giving us the opportunity to catch a glimpse of fireballs in the sky and maybe the greatest and brightest shooting star display of the year.
In perfect viewing conditions, the Geminids usually perform in a way that is unparalleled in its brilliance. However, the American Meteor Society predicts that this year’s almost full moon would probably wash away a large portion of the 15 meteors every hour.
However, according to EarthSky.org, there is still a lot to appreciate before 2024 ends. Viewing continues through December 21.
What is a meteor shower?
Every year, a number of meteor showers can be seen with the unaided eye.
The majority of them are formed from comet debris, while others, like the Geminids, are formed from asteroidal debris. The asteroid 3200 Phaethon orbits the sun and is the source of the Geminids.
The air’s resistance heats up rocks from space as they approach Earth’s atmosphere, giving the surrounding air a glowing appearance. And for a brief while, the rocks leave behind them a shooting star’s brilliant tail.
William Cooke of NASA told the Associated Press that the Geminids are particularly prone to ignite fireballs because the asteroid debris is rocky.According to him, the rocks are quite durable and have the ability to pierce the atmosphere deeply.
How to view a meteor shower
The best time to see meteor showers is typically from midnight to the hour before dawn.
The best way to see them is away from city lights and under dark sky. According to EarthSky.org, for better viewing on bright moon nights—which are predicted for Friday and Saturday—look for moon shadows, or places where the moon’s light is obscured.
Finding a plateau region with towering mountains to hide out the moon is one way to accomplish this. Or locate an open field with a hedgerow of trees on one side. Sitting under the shade of a barn or other structure is an additional choice.
According to the scientists at EarthSky, on a night when the moon is bright, attempt to focus on each meteor rather than counting them as is common practice.
When to watch
EarthSky.org predicts that the Geminid meteor shower will peak overnight on Friday and Saturday.
However, there may also be opportunities to see shooting stars in the days preceding and following the peak.
According to EarthSky.org, Geminids are typically visible throughout the night since their radiant rises in the middle of the evening. The radiant peaks around two in the morning after rising in the middle of the evening.
The Geminids are one of the most powerful and well-liked meteor showers that occur every year and are caused by asteroid debris. The Northern Hemisphere offers the finest views of this shower, but viewers south of the equator can still see the spectacle.
The Global Meteor Network data is used by viewers to determine the optimal time to see real-time fireball activity levels, which will rise over the next few days.
Much of New York is expected to see clear sky, but viewers will need to wear additional warm garments due to the frigid temperature.
According to scientists, those in the Southwest will have the best visibility, with the sky over New Mexico, southeastern Arizona, and portions of Utah being the most likely places to see a star show. Early in the evening, there will also be a small window in Southern California.
EarthSky.org predicts that the Geminid meteor shower will peak overnight on Friday and Saturday. The Ledger of StarsThe Ledger of Stars
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