Geminids Meteor Shower
The Geminids Meteor Shower is similar to other meteor showers in that it takes its name from the constellation from where it seems to originate. However most meteor showers that I discuss during the year are the result of a comet’s dust particles or meteoroids that follow the comet’s orbit around our Sun and hit Earth’s atmosphere at the same time each year.
The Geminids Meteor Shower is a distinctive meteor shower because it is linked to an asteroid not a comet. The 3200 Phaethon – asteroid or comet? Which is it? Some astronomers would argue that the entity is actually a comet in its final stages of life and some would say it is just an asteroid.
Whether 3200 Phaethon is described as an asteroid or a comet, the Geminids Meteor Shower is known as one of the most reliable meteor showers of the year besides the Perseids. If viewing conditions were perfect, one could view up to 120 visible meteors per hour during the peak of this shower. There is evidence to show that this meteor shower is actually getting stronger and stronger every year since it was first documented over 150 years ago.
The Geminids Meteor Shower begins December 7th and continues until December 17th. Meteor showers are generally best seen in the early morning hours before dawn and can appear anywhere in the sky. The meteors in this shower appear to originate from their radiant within the constellation Gemini, thus giving the shower its name, Geminids. In the morning hours of December 14th viewers will be treated to the shower’s strongest display under an almost moonless sky. As compared to other meteors, Geminids are known to generate golden medium speed streaks of light.
Here are the Meteor Showers we will be discussing in December:
Dec Phoenicids Meteor Shower
Puppid/Velids Meteor Shower
Monocerotids Meteor Shower
σ-Hydrids Meteor Shower
Geminids Meteor Shower
Ursids Meteor Shower
Coma Berenicids Meteor Shower
Your questions and comments are always welcome. Join the mailing list, bookmark the site as I promise to keep you up to date on any developments for all meteor showers throughout December and next year.
If you’ve enjoyed the information on this site, how about treating me to a cup of coffee? I’ll need as many a I can get to stay alert and keep me awake whilst watching all of the December meteor showers in the early morning hours. Keep your head up!
- Meteor Mark
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 9:29 pm
I noticed what I believe was a meteor tonight at 5:29 PM, horizonal streak low in the sky to the north. Travel was from east to west. It was bright and seemed to take about two seconds to cross the sky.
Is this possible? It seemed so low, unlike meteors I have seen before.
Dean
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Dean,
Yes it is possible. Sounds pretty cool! Meteors enter the atmosphere at all types of trajectories and angles. Some are larger than others and last a little longer in the sky. Thanks for the comment.
Keep your head up.
- Meteor Mark
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 1:19 am
Does anybody have information regarding the current “meteor” or “asteroid” which is said to possibly hit us and is currently under plan to be destroyed?
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 10:13 am
I witnessed a similar sight on Sat. Nov. 28, low in the sky to the north of Palm Springs, CA. Has this been reported or discussed anywhere?
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Lisa,
Please review the Meteor Glossary on this site, there is a difference between Meteor and Asteroid. I haven’t heard of any NEOs that are currently in line to be destroyed. There is a movie coming up later this month that may be the reason that interest in this topic is creeping up.
- Meteor Mark
on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 3:45 am
What kind of meteor shower is the best thing to watch this month of December?
on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 5:58 am
Hey Mark! i’m back!! i would like to know for EST, what time on the 14th could i see this shower?
on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 8:43 am
hi there,
I live in northern florida and have been trying to see a meteor shower with my 10 year old daughter. we last tried for the leonids in November just before dawn, but nothing it was too cloudy. Any idea when would be the next good time? thanks
Andrew
on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
The Geminids. I saw this shower 11 years ago while at RAF lossimouth . I stood with my jaw bouncing off the pavement as I watched what I cosidered the best and most attractive natural night of fireworks. It captivated me for all these years, the display was made more amazing by the fact that a lot of the particles were bouncing off and burrning as they passed , up till this point i had only ever seen the grey streaking showers.. I am now watching and hopeing that I catch it this year..
on Dec 4th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Meteor?
I saw a burning object just over the treeline at 5:15am this morning (12/4/2009) in Woodbridge, VA . It was fast moving, and looked like a burning ember with a whitish tail. If I had to guess the size (which was hard to do as I was driving to work) I would say it was at least the size of a barrel that people use to burn trash in. What could this have been?!
Thanks!
on Dec 4th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Yesenia and Teddie,
Hello! Good to see you. All the info in the post you commented in applies to EST and for anyone anywhere in any time zone.
- Meteor Mark
on Dec 4th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Denise,
Sounds like a fireball, check the glossary on this site.
- Meteor Mark
on Dec 7th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Hi, I live in London, can anyone tell where is the best to view these meteor showers, I’ve not seen anyb4 and would love to experience it.
I know the best viewing will be 14th december.
on Dec 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Aniko,
Thanks for the comment. Please review the Meteor Shower Viewing Page on this site. There are a few links on that page to when is the best time to view meteor showers. This shower should be particularly good for people in the United Kingdom. You may also want to review the post you commented in the answer is there. It states. “In the morning hours of December 14th viewers will be treated to the shower’s strongest display under an almost moonless sky.”
Just a friendly reminder to all who have this same question, please check out the Meteor Shower Viewing page highlighted here in blue. There are articles there Meteor FAQ, When to Look and More…
Keep your head up.
- Meteor Mark