[ad_1]
- The 2020 Geminid meteor shower lasts from December 4-17, reaching its peak in the early morning hours of December 14.
- NASA calls the Geminids the “best meteor shower of the year.”
- The rain overlaps with a near-new moon, meaning this year’s show will have optimal viewing conditions.
Stargazers, you’re in luck: December is a busy month for the skies, with planets “kissing” and a total solar eclipse (sadly invisible in the US) on its way. But the most exciting spectacle of all is the annual Geminid meteor shower, which promises a spectacular and better-than-usual viewing experience this weekend.
This year’s Geminid meteor shower lasts from December 4 to 17and it will be peak in the morning hours of Monday, December 14, according to the American Meteor Society. Meteorites should be visible from 8 p.m. until shortly after 5 a.m. each night, with best viewing from 1:14 to 2:14 am, according to the Griffith Observatory.
The Geminids take their name from the constellation Gemini, where they appear to originate in the sky. In any given year, the event is known as the “best meteor shower of the year,” as NASA calls it. But in 2020, the peak of the rain coincides with an almost new moon, which means viewing conditions will be optimal. Because there will be little extra light from the moon, up to 150 meteors could be visible per hournotes the Griffith Observatory.
These meteors tend to be bright and easy to spot, and it is “the only major shower that provides good activity before midnight,” explains AMS. That’s good news for inexperienced stargazers or those who don’t want to stay up late – this is one of the most spectator-friendly showers of the year.
The Geminid meteor shower originates from the rocky comet 3200 Phaethon. When the Earth passes through its debris each year, those rocks enter the atmosphere and burn their way down, leaving bright streaks behind them.
To get the most out of this year’s optimal viewing conditions, find a location with a clear view of the sky and as little artificial light as possible. Lie down and look up, as the meteors will be visible throughout the sky. (Make sure you’re warm too.) After that, it’s a waiting game, but since this is the best rain of the year, you shouldn’t have to linger too long before seeing your first shooting star.
Go here to join Prevention Premium (our best all-access plan), subscribe to the magazine, or get digital-only access.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and is imported to this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content on piano.io
