The Geminids meteor shower, considered the very best of the year, will peak starting tonight. The Geminids meteor shower tonight is expected to be more spectacular than most annual meteor showers. The Geminids are unique in several aspects, including their origin from a passing asteroid.
Where to look tonight for the Geminids meteor shower
The Geminids meteor shower can be at its best after midnight. Up to 120 meteors per hour will be seen in the air. This meteor shower is called the Geminids since the shooting stars appear in the air near the constellation Gemini called the “radiant.”. Meteors within the Geminids shower can be seen earlier than the majority of other meteor showers because the Geminids radiant is above the horizon throughout the night. In the early on evening you will look low within the northeast. The radiant should be right overhead by 1 a.m. EST. The Geminids will hit their peak at about 6 a.m. EST when the radiant is low within the west.
The Geminids really make a difference that could be observed
Most meteor showers, including the Perseids in August and the Leonids in November, occur when Earth’s orbit around the sun passes through the dust particles left behind by a comet. The asteroid Phaethon left specks of particles which is exactly what the Geminids comes from. Phaethon’s particles hit the atmosphere at a lower velocity than the majority of meteor showers — about 21 miles per second. The Geminid meteors are easier to view due to this since bright trails are left in the sky a little longer than normal while the particles vaporize. The morning of Dec. 15 will continue to view the Geminids peaking. That means that even if clouds ruin the view Tuesday, watchers may be able to get another change Wed before dawn.
What the source of the Geminids is
The Phaethon asteroid was named after the sun god in Greek mythology. This is also the sun of Helios. Phaethon threatens to burn up the earth after going for a ride in his father's chariot and loses control. Zeus intervenes with a lightning bolt that kills Phaethon and saves the world. In 524 days, Phaethon's orbit goes from the asteroid belt inside Mercury's orbit and back again. Typically a comet has a tail. Experts are confused as Phaethon has not tail yet is nevertheless has a stream of particles behind it.
Articles cited
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/40530733/ns/technology_and_science-space/
The Guardian
guardian.co.uk/science/2010/dec/13/starwatch-geminids-meteors
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pha%C3%ABton
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