Every year in December, the inhabitants of the planet can enjoy the magnificent sight — a meteor shower the Geminids , the most abundant and most striking of known. This meteor shower got its name from the constellation Gemini (Gemini), which is radiant flux. Scientists believe that it is associated with the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which in the past may have been a comet. And what is most interesting in this year the body of the parent stream of the asteroid will approach the Earth as close as possible.
In 2017 a meteor shower the Geminids will be especially well seen in the night from 13 to 14 December. Under favorable conditions, and the weather is clear you can see approximately one meteor per minute. However, the history of the famous and more vivid bursts of activity flow. So, in 2011, was recorded the flow rate amounted to 200 meteors per hour.
An important feature of stream is that it is not rushing towards the Ground, as it were, catches up with her, so the speed of the meteors minor, which gives the opportunity to consider and even to photograph them. Meteors of Geminid very bright, white, almost does not leave a trace. Best of all, they will be visible in the North.
So nothing prevent you to enjoy the sight of the – way place, which is maximally remote from the light sources. Ideally – to leave the city and find some hills. Of course, the most convenient position for viewing while lying on a blanket face to the sky, but you should be well dressed.
Astronomers argue that the most abundant «free fall» will be about 2 a.m., when the sky is darkest. Perhaps, again, under favorable conditions, the flow rate will reach 120 meteors per hour.
The difficulty of observation of the meteor shower the Geminids this year is primarily in the fact that the peak activity of the stream coincided otherwise spectacular space phenomenon – the Supermoon. So you will have the opportunity to watch from behind two incredible phenomena.
Astronomers suggest to prepare for viewing the meteor shower in advance, because only about half an hour would require your eyes to adjust to the darkness.
And one more thing: if the weather or other circumstances will prevent you to see the meteor shower in person — do not despair. You can do this online at the Marshall Space Flight Centerused NASA.
Pleasant viewing!
