Top 10 tips for the 2006 Geminid meteor shower
This image was made by pointing a camera at the north celestial pole, and leaving the shutter open. Earth's rotation causes the stars to appear as arcs circling the sky's north pole. These are called "star trails." The open shutter also caught a couple of meteors streaking past! (NASA image)
The Geminid meteor shower is coming! It’ll peak during the night of Wednesday, December 13.
1. The Geminids are one of the year’s best meteor showers. The Geminids often produce 50 or more meteors per hour, or nearly a meteor a minute.
2. This shower is one of the few that is as good to watch in the evening as after midnight.
3. Dark skies are essential. Find a place to observe in the country.
4. In 2006, the waning crescent moon will be rising in the wee hours after midnight during the shower’s peak. This little moon will diminish the shower in the hours between moonrise and dawn. Try watching late at night on December 13, or around midnight.
5. Most meteor in annual showers originate in comets. But the parent of the Geminid meteor shower is a mysterious body named Phaethon 3200. This solar system object is termed an Apollo (near–Earth) asteroid, and it might be a dormant comet.
6. If you were to track the Geminid meteors backwards on the sky’s dome, you’d find them streaming from the a point in the sky within the boundaries of the constellation Gemini the Twins. This point – called the radiant point – lies close to Gemini’s bright star, Castor.
7. Radiant points are fun to think about. But you don’t need to know the constellation Gemini to see the meteor shower. On the night of the shower, Geminid meteors will streak all over the sky.
8. The best way to watch meteors is to bring along a buddy. Both of you watch different parts of the sky. If one of you sees one, shout out “meteor!”
9. Special equipment? Not necessary. You only need a dark sky, a reclining lawn chair and the warmth of a sleeping bag.
10. As a wise man once said, meteor watching is a lot like fishing. You go outside. You enjoy nature all around you. You hope you catch some!
Geminid meteor shower from answers.com
Observing the Geminids by Gary W.Kronk
History of the Geminids by Gary W. Kronk
History of the Geminids 2004 article by Monica Bobra
Observing Meteors by Jeff Kanipe
Meteor Showers by Exploration
Meteors and meteor showers by Francis Reddy
If you are in the El Paso, TX area, the best place to watch these showers is the rest area on highway 62-180 (Montana Ave.) east of town, past the border patrol checkpoint. I have had many sucessful nights of stargazing out there. Give it a try!
Anyone know the best places to watch in Southern California?
can anyone tell me what time the shower will appear on the eastern time zone?? thanks!!!