Despite the large moon in the sky, we’re getting many reports from our friends on Facebook that this year’s Geminid meteor shower has been grand so far. Can you see meteors on the night of December 14 (December 15 in Asia)? Yes, you can, although probably not as many as last night. Still, it’s worth looking outside tonight for meteors in the Geminid shower.
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The Geminid meteor shower is one of the best showers of the year For us in the northern hemisphere, it’s cold on these December nights. That’s probably the only reason the Geminid meteor shower isn’t as well-known or popular as the annual Perseid meteor shower in August. The Geminids often fall at rates even greater than the Perseids. In 2011, moonlight is interfering with the shower. The moon is in a waning gibbous phase in 2011 on these peak nights. That means the moon will rise in mid-evening and shine until daybreak.
In other words, 2011 doesn’t provide optimum conditions for watching the Geminid meteor shower. Why watch if the moon is in the way? Many people enjoy seeing just a meteor, or two, or three, and yes you might see that many, at least. Plus it’s wonderful to go outside, feel the night air and just breathe it all in. So go! Unless you’re a purist and will spend the whole night shaking your fist at the moon.
Unlike many meteor showers, which don’t start until after midnight, you can usually start watching the Geminids by 9 or 10 p.m. Watch all the way until dawn if you want. The morning of December 16 (December 16 in Asia) should feature some meteors. On a dark, moonless night, the Geminid meteor shower often produces 50 or more meteors per hour. You’ll see many fewer this year, because of the moon. Plus the shower is past its peak.
Why are most meteor showers best after midnight? Meteors in annual showers originate as grains of dust or ice in space, left behind by comets. After midnight, the part of Earth you’re standing on has turned so that you face head on into the incoming stream of space debris. So you typically see more meteors after midnight – unless the moon happens to rise in the middle of the night.
Can you watch in moonlight? Can you watch from the city or suburbs? Purists will shake their heads, frown and say no, but plenty of people tell us about amazing meteors they see on moonlit nights and from inside cities. If you plan to set up somewhere to watch, go out in the country. Try a state or city park. But if you are out and about in the city or suburbs, look up on the nights of meteor shower peaks! You might see a meteor.
From the roof of the EarthSky building in downtown Austin, Texas we’ve seen some beautiful sights in the sky. Is it the best place to watch for meteors? No. But if you're out and about in the city, you might catch sight of a meteor streaking across your sky. Image Credit: Deborah Byrd.
By the way, in 2011, social media made it possible for me to enjoy the year’s meteor showers very much. Thank you to all of you who posted your meteor sightings on EarthSky’s Facebook page! It’s wonderful to know that so many of you enjoyed the 2011 showers, even though many were drowned in moonlight. The Draconid shower in early October was another one that surprised everyone, by the way – with an outburst of more than 600 meteors seen in an hour’s time, even in moonlight.
October 8, 2011 Draconid meteor shower a winner!
Bottom line: You can still see Geminid meteors on the night of December 14 (December 15 in Asia). Moonlight will interfere, but some meteors will be bright enough to withstand the moonlight. Yes, we’re past the peak. But those who look should still see meteors streaking across the moonlit sky.
[...] The next meteor shower is December 13 and 14, 2011 [...]
although this happened about a few months ago i keep thinking about it. At first my parents thought it was just a fire work (because it was guy fawkes day) but then i read these comments saying that they saw a light sailing across the sky. This light was magnificent and i couldnt find where i could read about it. This light was orange and turned to a orangy/red when it dissapeared would this be a meteor or a ???
check this out… being an avid watcher… I have seen the oranges, reds, yellows, neon
greens and blues, some that seemed lt. violet….. there are all sorts of colors to be found,
and it is truly Gods’ year-round fire-works display in action!!!!!!!!!!!
I had a dream… 2 unidentified objects will blast/explode from the sky or somewhere on December 13. Look at the sun on this date, something unusual will happen. This is the start of…I don’t know… (I’m still interpreting that dream years ago)
We have to turn our heart to God Jehova & recognize Him as the true creator of our universe & mankind and to His son Jesus Christ our savior.
“We have to turn our heart to God Jehova & recognize Him as the true creator of our universe & mankind and to His son Jesus Christ our savior.”
It’s the 21st Century. You should turn your HEAD to look at YOU. You are your saviour, potentially. God is long dead. Stop trying to drag two millenia old superstitions along to make sense of today. It doesn’t really work. You should know that already.
Dude leave him alone lots of people have a strong faith including me so shut up.
I really look forward to it :D, Is the Geminid meteor shower world wide ? And in what time in Qatar or Saudi Arabia can we see it ?
Yes, it’s worldwide! Here’s a link to a post that tells when to watch in more detail. Times are all in “local time” – useful the world over. http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/ten-tips-for-watching-the-geminid-meteor-shower
Thought it was a firework shoot across the sky last night but reading about the Geminid Meteor shower I know that’s what I saw last night Dec 13. It was amazing. A large bright white ball shoot across the sky with a long white and red bright tail. It seemed like it was 500 feet away. That’s how close to the earth it seemed. AMAZING!!
Am in Merida Mexico in the Yucatan. What time would be best to see the meteor shower?
Hi I’m from England. Last night i looked out of my bedroom window a around 11:30pm and was drawn to a star in the sky, suddenly two meteors shot past it. I was amazed so i kept watching and sure enough there were more that followed. I was sat all night watching them as I’ve never seen anything like that. I’m glad i found this website as i will be sat watching for them again tonight. Absolutely beautiful.
I work the night shift at a hotel, its in a good spot with not too many lights around. On my break I was able to catch about 11 within a 15 minute time span! some looked faint, others were pretty apparent. Even though it was chilly out there it didn’t seem to matter. Just a bummer that the clouds were starting to creep over the area so the visibility isn’t as clear. I look forward to the next one!
I’m in Merida mexico…got up about 4:30 this morning and sat out on balcony for about 30-45 minutes. Even though Im in the city, I was able to count about a dozen lovely meteor streaks. Very cool
ieri sera verso le 21 30 nel cielo sopra la mia testa e durato 3 secondi una palla verde con la coda rossa una cosa mai vista .