Don’t wait for the Geminid meteor shower peak. How and why you should watch early this year.
NASA says the peak of the Geminid meteor shower is still more than a week away, but it might be a good idea to pay attention early this year.
According to NASA, the meteor shower will peak from Friday, December 13, to early Saturday, December 14, when the moon is nearly full. The moon’s illumination can make observing the cosmic phenomenon a challenge during the peak, but bright meteors can be seen in the week leading up to the peak.
Here’s what you should know about the Geminid meteor shower, including how to watch:
Where to see the Geminid meteor shower
According to NASA, meteors from the Geminid meteor shower are visible across the sky and around the globe. They are best viewed in areas away from cities and street lights.
Spectators – who should be prepared for freezing temperatures – should lie flat with their feet facing south. Give your eyes half an hour to adjust to the dark.
Meteor showers usually start around 9 or 10 pm local time, and it’s best to view the meteors at night or before dawn.
earth skyAn astronomy website posted by experts in the field recommends finding a way to obscure the moon when observing the Geminid meteor shower.
“So you may only see the brightest meteors under moonlit skies in 2024,” EarthSky said. “Fortunately, many of the Geminids are bright meteors. Try to obscure the moon when observing meteors.”
What is the Geminid meteor shower?
Most meteor showers originate from comets, but the Geminids come from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. The Geminid meteor shower first appeared in the mid-1800s. At the time, there were 10 to 20 meteors per hour, but the shower has grown larger and larger, and now 120 meteors per hour can be seen under perfect conditions.
While most meteors appear colorless or white, NASA scientists say the Geminids are bright, fast and often yellow in color. They streak across the sky at 22 miles per second.
According to NASA, meteors are space rocks that enter Earth’s atmosphere and heat up as they fall toward Earth. This band of light is actually glowing hot air.
