Geminid Meteor Shower December 2022: How to Watch Sky Phenomenon This Week

The Earth experiences numerous meteor showers each year. The Geminid meteor shower, though, is thought to be the most consistent.

The event began on November 19, will last through December 24, and will soon reach its height on December 14.

Geminid Meteor Shower Viewing

The greatest time to witness the meteors fall on December 15 if you're viewing from New York is just before sunrise. The radiant point of the Geminid meteor shower will be in the Gemini constellation, so look for it as you prepare to observe.

According to Space.com, there will likely be more meteors as the radiant point ascends above the horizon. But before the moon rises is when it is advised. The visibility of the meteor shower may be impacted by its light since it is in the waning gibbous phase.

Even after the moon has risen, meteors, especially the brightest ones, can still be seen. The meteors are described as swift, white, and bold. They may be bright, but they're also easy to miss, so keep an eye out so you can experience them.

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You're in luck if you're from the Northern Hemisphere because the circumstances are favorable there. You don't need to worry if you're from the Southern Hemisphere because you can still view it, though not as well.

Viewing conditions are optimal when the event reaches its climax, and dark skies coincide. Watchers might be able to observe about 120 Geminid meteors each hour in this situation. Make sure you dress appropriately. Temperatures will be chilly because it's December, so you might get cold rather than see a meteor.

Additionally, it is suggested that viewers set up at least an hour for their viewing session. For almost 20 minutes, the eyes must acclimate to the darkness before seeing the meteors more clearly.

The fact that meteors won't fall continuously was also emphasized. They will arrive in bursts and lulls. Since the sky is a huge area, patience and a keen eye are essential for finding meteors.

Where Meteors Are Coming From

Comets are typically the source of meteor showers. Because the asteroid 3200 Phaethon produces the Geminid meteor shower, it is unique. If you're wondering how they differ, an asteroid is more like a large rock, but comets are icy entities racing through space.

Originally, the asteroid was found on October 11, 1983, NASA said. The Infrared Astronomical Satellite photographed it, and Simon Green and John Davies recognized them in the images. They gave the object the name 1939 TB, as described in Earth Sky.

Fred Whipple was the one who realized the shower originated from 3200 Phaethon, though. Whipple noted that the asteroid's orbit matched that of the meteor shower. Everyone else at the time thought comets were the only source of meteor showers.