Philosophy
December 10th, 2012
SPACEDAILY
If it's clear late Thursday night, December 13th, 2012, keep a lookout high overhead for the shooting stars of the Geminid meteor shower. "The Geminids are usually one of the two best meteor showers of the year," says Alan MacRobert, senior editor at Sky and Telescope magazine.
"They may beat out the Perseids of August." This year's showing has the added benefit of reduced celestial competition - thanks to the new Moon, no moonlight will interfere with meteor counting.
Under a clear, dark sky, you may see a shooting star every minute from 10 p.m. local time Thursday until dawn Friday morning. If you live under the artificial skyglow of light pollution the numbers will be less, but the brightest meteors will still shine through.
Lower counts of Geminid meteors should be visible earlier that evening, and a few should also flash into view on the nights of December 11, 12, and 14.
To watch for meteors, you need no equipment other than your eyes. Find a dark spot with an open view of the sky and no glaring lights nearby. Bundle up as warmly as you can in many layers.
"Go out late in the evening, lie back, and gaze up into the stars," says Sky and Telescope editor in chief Robert Naeye. "Relax, be patient, and let your eyes adapt to the dark. The best direction to watch is wherever your sky is darkest, probably straight up."
Geminids can appear anywhere in the sky. Small ones appear as tiny, quick streaks. Occasional brighter ones may sail across the heavens for several seconds and leave a brief train of glowing smoke.
If you trace each meteor's direction of flight backward far enough across the sky, you'll find that this imaginary line crosses a spot in the constellation Gemini near the stars Castor and Pollux. Gemini is in the eastern sky during evening and high overhead in the hours after midnight (for skywatchers at north temperate latitudes).
This special spot is called the shower's radiant. It's the perspective point from which all the Geminids would appear to come if you could see them approaching from the far distance, rather than just in the last second or so of their lives as they dive into Earth's upper atmosphere.
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Philosophy
Geminid meteor shower..this Thursday and Friday
"Geminid Meteor Shower Coming on December 13-14"
December 10th, 2012
SPACEDAILY
If it's clear late Thursday night, December 13th, 2012, keep a lookout high overhead for the shooting stars of the Geminid meteor shower. "The Geminids are usually one of the two best meteor showers of the year," says Alan MacRobert, senior editor at Sky and Telescope magazine.
"They may beat out the Perseids of August." This year's showing has the added benefit of reduced celestial competition - thanks to the new Moon, no moonlight will interfere with meteor counting.
Under a clear, dark sky, you may see a shooting star every minute from 10 p.m. local time Thursday until dawn Friday morning. If you live under the artificial skyglow of light pollution the numbers will be less, but the brightest meteors will still shine through.
Lower counts of Geminid meteors should be visible earlier that evening, and a few should also flash into view on the nights of December 11, 12, and 14.
To watch for meteors, you need no equipment other than your eyes. Find a dark spot with an open view of the sky and no glaring lights nearby. Bundle up as warmly as you can in many layers.
"Go out late in the evening, lie back, and gaze up into the stars," says Sky and Telescope editor in chief Robert Naeye. "Relax, be patient, and let your eyes adapt to the dark. The best direction to watch is wherever your sky is darkest, probably straight up."
Geminids can appear anywhere in the sky. Small ones appear as tiny, quick streaks. Occasional brighter ones may sail across the heavens for several seconds and leave a brief train of glowing smoke.
If you trace each meteor's direction of flight backward far enough across the sky, you'll find that this imaginary line crosses a spot in the constellation Gemini near the stars Castor and Pollux. Gemini is in the eastern sky during evening and high overhead in the hours after midnight (for skywatchers at north temperate latitudes).
This special spot is called the shower's radiant. It's the perspective point from which all the Geminids would appear to come if you could see them approaching from the far distance, rather than just in the last second or so of their lives as they dive into Earth's upper atmosphere.
- Hunter's Moon Will Diminish Most Of The Orionid Meteor Shower
"Hunter’s Moon to wash out 2013 Orionid meteor shower" Earth & Sky The October full moon – the Northern Hemisphere’s Hunter’s Moon – is (or was if you’re reading this later) on the night of October 18-19, 2013. In a bit of misfortune...
- Spoiler: The Moon And The Leonid Meteor Shower
Last major, traditional meteor shower of the year [except for the Geminids on December 13]. The event will arrive on the night of November 17th around midnight. EarthSky... November 17, late night until dawn the following morning Leonids The Leonid...
- Perseid Meteor Shower Of 2011...last Notice
"Meteor Shower 2011: How to See the Perseids" by Ned Potter August 12th, 2011 ABC News The Perseid meteor shower of 2011 peaks in the early hours of Saturday morning, U.S. time. It's not hard to watch, and it can be quiet fun, but...
- Geminid Meteor Shower
Last major meteor shower for 2009 will happen this December 13-14. "The best meteor shower of 2009, the Geminids, should put on a rousing show the night of December 13/14. Use Astronomy magazine's helpful tips, along with a finder chart, how-to video,...
- Coming To A Sky Near You...perseids Meteor Shower
Perseids Meteor Shower August 12th, 13th 2009 The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. This year's peak occurs on August 13th and 14th, but you may be able to see some meteors any...