The Geminids originate from a 'dead' asteroid, rather than a comet.
The Geminids originate from a"dead" asteroid, rather than a comet.In this Dec. 14, 2023, photo provided by NOIRLab, meteors from the Geminid meteor shower streak across the sky above the Nicholas U. Mayall Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory , a program of the National Science Foundation's NOIRLab, located near Tucson in the Tohono O'odham Nation.One of the most dramatic astronomical events of the year is scheduled to peak this weekend.
The radiant -- the point in the sky in which the Geminids appear to originate from -- is the constellation Gemini, according to NASA.While meteor showers typically originate from comets, the Geminids originate from a "dead" asteroid -- the 3200 Phaethon. In this Dec. 14, 2023, file photo, the Geminid meteor shower is shown over Yosemite National Park in California.The Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak overnight on Friday and Saturday nights, according to EarthSky.org.Since the radiant for the Geminids rises in mid-evening, they tend to be visible all night long, according to EarthSky.org. The radiant rises in mid-evening and is highest around 2 a.m.
Mayne recommended getting as far away from city lights as possible to see the Geminids, which will be visible from the entire night sky, not just from the radiant. In this Dec. 14, 2023, photo provided by NOIRLab, meteors from the Geminid meteor shower streak across the sky above the Nicholas U. Mayall Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory , a program of the National Science Foundation's NOIRLab, located near Tucson in the Tohono O'odham Nation.The visibility of the Geminids could be drowned out this weekend due to the fullness of the moon, Mayne said.
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Year’s Strongest Meteor Shower Has Begun: When To See The Geminids At Their BestJamie Carter is an award-winning reporter and experienced stargazer who covers the night sky, astro-tourism, the northern lights and space exploration. He received the 2023 Popular Media Award from the American Astronomical Society's Solar Physics Division and is the author of A Stargazing Program for Beginners. Writing for Forbes.
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