December is the most active month for meteor showers, and this year’s celestial show is already in full swing. The Geminids, usually the strongest meteor shower of the year, started their parade on Dec. 2, but the peak of their activity won’t be until the nights of Dec. 12 and 13. Fortunately, they will remain visible until Dec. 21, giving stargazers plenty of time to catch sight of the meteors.
How to Spot Them
Meteor showers are named after the constellations from which they appear to originate, a point in the sky known as their “radiant.” In the case of the Geminid meteor shower, that means the direction of the Gemini constellation, located northeast of Orion. Gemini is easily recognizable by its two brightest stars, Castor and Pollux. However, while the radiant provides a reference point, meteors can streak across the entire sky. To maximize your viewing experience, it’s best to watch a broad expanse of the heavens rather than focusing solely on Gemini.
The Origin of the Shower
The Geminids are unique among meteor showers because their origin lies in an asteroid, 3200 Phaethon, rather than a comet. This asteroid is sometimes referred to as a “rock comet” because it behaves just like a comet as it nears our sun, shedding debris and creating a vibrant meteor shower. As Earth passes through its trail, particles enter the atmosphere at high speeds, burning up to create the vivid streaks and occasional fireballs characteristic of the Geminids.First documented in 1833 by observers on the Mississippi River, the Geminids have grown in intensity over time. This is attributed to gravitational forces, particularly from Jupiter, drawing the particle stream closer to Earth’s orbit.
But Wait, There’s More!
Overlapping with the Geminids, another meteor shower, the Ursids, will make an appearance on December 16, peaking right before Christmas on Dec. 21 and 22 and continuing until Dec. 26.The Ursids are not so popular because they’re not as prolific, with only 5 to 10 meteors to be seen per hour during their peak. Their radiant is around the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor), whose most well-known star is Polaris, also known as the North Star or Pole Star. As with other meteor showers, looking directly at the radiant is not the best option—you’re better off watching the sky around the constellation, where you’re more likely to find meteors with longer trails.
The North Star is higher in the sky during the predawn hours, which makes it the best time to view this meteor shower.
Finally, after the Ursids, the Quadrantids will make their appearance, starting on Dec. 26 and extending until mid-January. These meteors usually produce bright fireballs, so they have the potential to put on the most powerful show of the year. Unfortunately, their peak lasts only six hours, which often limits their impact.
The Quadrantids derive their name from the Mural Quadrant, an obsolete constellation that is no longer included on the official celestial map. Nowadays their radiant can be found below the Big Dipper, but as in the case of other meteor showers, the meteors can be seen all over the sky. This year, their peak will occur late at night on Jan. 3 and early morning on Jan. 4, around 1 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Moon will be a waxing crescent, so its light won’t interfere with the visibility of the meteors.
So get your deck chair ready, arm yourself with a hot beverage and a warm coat, and look up to enjoy the universe’s welcoming of the new year!
