Buzz
A Geminid meteor blazes across the sky above the majestic Seven Sisters rock formation early on Dec. 14, 2018, at the Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesAs the year draws to a close, there are numerous reasons to look up. Some people eagerly await the first snowflakes, while those in the Southern Hemisphere enjoy the peak of summer. However, for stargazers worldwide, mid-December signals the arrival of the spectacular Geminid meteor shower.
This meteor shower is typically one of the most impressive of the year, with an abundance of meteors and notable size. As EarthSky describes, "The meteors are usually bright, white, and swift... During peak times, you might see 50 or more meteors an hour." The 2022 peak will occur at 8:00 am EST (1300 GMT) on Wed. Dec. 14, which means the best viewing will be in the early morning hours. Astronomers estimate up to 150 meteors per hour could be visible, although the waning gibbous moon may slightly affect visibility.
The Geminid meteor shower occurs each year when Earth passes through a region where its orbit intersects a trail of debris from asteroid 3200 Phaeton. These debris fragments travel at speeds up to 80,000 miles (130,000 kilometers) per hour, burning up as they enter the atmosphere and creating the Geminid meteor shower. Although the brightness of the moon this year might reduce visibility, the meteor shower is still expected to be visible.
The Gemini constellation
SSPL/Getty ImagesThe Gemini constellation, named after the Greek mythological twins Castor and Pollux, represents the idea of two figures standing side by side in the sky. The stars marking their heads also bear their names. During the Geminid meteor shower, the majority of meteors appear to radiate from near the star Castor, the twin on the right.
The radiant point is where most meteors in a shower seem to originate. At 2 a.m., the radiant point will be at its highest, offering the best viewing time. It’s best to keep the radiant in your peripheral vision rather than staring directly at it. Unlike many meteor showers, which only appear in the early morning, the Geminids can be seen all night long, with Gemini positioned well for viewing starting at 10 p.m. on the peak night.
You don't need any special binoculars; all you need is a clear, dark sky away from city lights. Give yourself about an hour of observation time, as it takes roughly 20 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the darkness.
A meteor is considered a fireball if it shines brighter than the planet Venus; occasionally, the Geminid meteor shower produces these bright meteors. NASA monitors fireballs through a network of 17 cameras spread across the United States, known as the All-sky Fireball Network.
