The Summary
- The annual Geminid meteor shower is set to peak overnight Friday and early Saturday.
- The meteor shower is typically one of the best and most reliable of the year.
- Stargazers can also look for Jupiter and a formation of three bright stars known as the Winter Triangle.
The yearly Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak overnight Friday and into the early hours of Saturday, so stargazers may be in for a treat this weekend.
Although the meteor shower has continued throughout the month, NASA predicts that shooting stars will intensify during the weekend, especially after midnight on Friday and during the period of darkness before dawn.
Although some of this year’s shooting stars may be obscured by a nearly full moon, the Geminids are visible in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
However, if circumstances are clear, skywatchers may see some spectacular meteor showers shooting across the night sky, as the Geminid shower is usually one of the brightest and most consistent of the year.
Up to 120 Geminids can be observed per hour under perfect skywatching conditions, which include no bright moonlight and no light pollution.
Skywatchers should be able to view shooting stars without looking directly at the Gemini constellation, although Geminid meteors, as their name implies, seem to stream from the constellation.
To enjoy the Geminids, NASA experts advise sleeping on your back with your feet pointing south. Selecting a dark viewing location away from city lights and other types of light pollution is the best option.
The Geminids are the remains of an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon, in contrast to the majority of meteor showers, which are produced by comet debris fragments that burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.
Jupiter will be visible in the night sky, so those who intend to observe the meteor shower this weekend can also search for it. The planet is located between the almost full moon and Aldebaran, a reddish-orange star that is visible to the unaided eye and shines brightest in the Taurus constellation.
Meanwhile, Northern Hemisphere skywatchers will be able to see the Winter Triangle, which is a cluster of three brilliant stars, throughout the winter. This celestial triangle is frequently seen in the winter sky and is composed of Sirius in the constellation Canis Major, Procyon in the constellation Canis Minor, and Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion.
First, locate the three stars that comprise the characteristic belt in the constellation Orion to see the Winter Triangle. Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, will be a little lower and to the left of the belt. Procyon will thereafter be to the left and a little higher. Looking back toward Orion will reveal Betelgeuse, a reddish star at the shoulder of the constellation.
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