Geminid Meteor

Geminid Meteor Latest News

The Geminid meteor shower – one of the most spectacular in the celestial calendar – is set to peak this weekend.

About Geminid Meteor

• The Geminid meteor shower is named after the constellation from which the meteors appear to radiate, Gemini.
• It peaks during mid-December each year and is considered to be one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers.
• Origin: Unlike most meteor showers that originate from comets, the Geminid stream appears to originate from an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon
• The Geminids are best viewed during the night and predawn hours. 

What are Meteors?

• Meteors come from leftover comet particles and bits from asteroids.
• As they enter the Earth’s atmosphere at high speed, they burn up, creating a spectacular “shower”.
• When these objects come around the Sun, they leave a dusty trail behind them.
• Every year Earth passes through these debris trails, which allows the bits to collide with our atmosphere where they disintegrate to create fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.

Source: HT

‹ ›