The Geminids meteor shower will reach its peak this week.
The Geminids, regarded as one of the top and most consistent meteor showers of the year, is currently happening and is expected to reach its peak this week.
The Geminids meteor shower started on November 19 and will last until December 24, with the most activity expected on the night of December 13th and the morning of December 14th. Here are some important details about this cosmic event, including its cause:
Where and when can the Geminids meteor shower be observed?
NASA reports that the Geminids can be seen worldwide. The optimal time to view them is at night or in the early hours before dawn. The peak of the shower usually occurs between 9 and 10 p.m.
The Geminids will be easily observable in the night sky, making it an ideal meteor shower for budding stargazers to witness.
NASA recommends watching the Geminids away from any sources of artificial light, such as city or street lights. To properly view the meteor shower, astronomers should lay on their backs with their feet pointing south and gaze upwards. It may take approximately half an hour for your eyes to adapt to the darkness and be able to spot the meteors.
Individuals are advised to bring a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair in order to remain comfortable in chilly conditions.
What sets the Geminids apart?
According to NASA, the Geminids are typically the most intense meteor shower of the year, with a frequency of 120 meteors per hour in optimal circumstances.Leonids
The meteor shower, reaching its highest point in November, displays an average of 15 meteors per hour.
3200 Phaethon.
The majority of meteor showers are produced by comets, however, the Geminids are a result of 3200 Phaethon.3200 Phaethon, an asteroid. The asteroid
behaves similarly to an unusual comet.
The yearly occurrence of a meteor shower was initially observed in the 1800s, with a recorded rate of 10 to 20 meteors per hour. However, the frequency and intensity of the shower has increased over time.
NASA researchers have stated that the Geminids are known for being luminous, swift, and typically displaying a yellow hue. According to Bill Cooke, who is in charge of the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the majority of meteors seem to lack color or appear white. This information was shared in a blog post on NASA’s website.
The Geminids meteor shower will race across the sky at a velocity of 22 miles per second.
Can you explain what a meteor shower is?
According to NASA, meteors are celestial objects that enter the Earth’s atmosphere. As they descend, they heat up and can be seen as shooting stars. The glowing trail is caused by the meteor’s rapid movement through the Earth’s atmosphere.
Meteor showers occur multiple times a year, with meteors lighting up the night sky. These events involve a high concentration of meteors entering Earth’s atmosphere in a brief span of time. While most meteors disintegrate in space, the ones that make it through and land on the ground are known as meteorites.
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Source: cbsnews.com