The Geminid meteor shower of 2023 is one of the year’s best celestial fireworks displays. If the weather conditions are favorable at your location, you can see the meteor shower with naked eye. Just look at the direction of Gemini constellation. If the sky is dark enough, you can see as many as 100 meteors per hour.
But, if you don’t have clear skies, and dont want to freeze in the cold outdoors weather, you can still catch the Geminid meteor shower. Just check out the livestream of Virtual Telescope Project, below. The countdown begins:
What is Geminid meteor shower and where to look to watch?
The Geminid meteor shower is an annual meteor shower that occurs when Earth passes through the debris left by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This shower is known for its multi-colored meteors, which are visible when meteoroids from this debris enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up, creating streaks of light in the night sky.
The Geminids are unique due to their origin. Most meteor showers are caused by comets, but the Geminids originate from an asteroid. This makes the Geminid meteor shower one of the few major meteor showers not originating from a comet.
The shower typically peaks around mid-December and is known for its reliability and intensity. It often produces a large number of meteors, with rates of over 100 meteors per hour under optimal conditions. The Geminid meteors are relatively slow-moving, making them easier to spot. They can be seen in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, though the best views are usually in the Northern Hemisphere.
Viewers can expect to see the brightest meteors in areas away from city lights, under clear, dark skies. The Geminids are a popular event for astronomers and stargazers, as they provide one of the most spectacular meteor displays each year.
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