Witness the yearly Geminid Meteor Shower on Monday and Tuesday night, Dec. 13 &14.
From Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute:
GEMINID METEORS TO BE VISIBLE
Rosman, NC (November 17, 2010) – Astronomers at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) prompt the public of the annual Geminid Meteor Shower in December.
Meteors outcome from particles of dust triggering the atmosphere to spark as the particles enter the upper atmosphere of the Earth. Following over a period of searching, astronomers in 1983 determined that the parent body for the debris that causes the Geminids is the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This is a bit uncommon as nearly all meteor showers are caused by debris from comets, not asteroids. But, as Phaethon orbits the Sun, it sheds dust particles that endure as a trail of debris in its path. Since the Earth encounters this trail of debris at the identical point in space each time it makes its annual revolution around the Sun, we observe the Geminids on the same date each year, around December 13-14.
In 2010 the Geminids should reach a peak of about 120 meteors per hour about 8 p.m. EST on Monday, December 13. The Geminid Meteor Shower is one of the more reliable showers and we should see some Geminids for a couple of mornings before the 13th and a morning or two afterwards. Successful observing of the Geminids can start as early as 10 p.m. and continue until dawn as the constellation of Gemini the twins rises higher in the sky. One should observe from a clear, dark location with a good horizon. Look high in the northeast for meteors appearing to radiate out of Gemini. This year we are only one day following First Quarter Moon. Thus, the bright moon will be setting about 1 a.m. EST and its light will not interfere with observations of fainter meteors in the predawn skies.
Give it a go; view to the northeast to find the meteors appearing to radiate out of the constellation of Gemini the twins. Binoculars or telescopes are not needed to observe meteors.
About PARI: PARI is a not-for-profit foundation established in 1998. Located in the Pisgah Forest southwest of Asheville, NC, PARI offers educational programs at all levels, from K-12 through post-graduate research. The institute is affiliated with the 16-campus University of North Carolina system through PARSEC, a UNC Center hosted at PARI, and is a member of the NC Grassroots Museum Collaborative. For more information about PARI and its programs, visit http://www.pari.edu.
From Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute:
GEMINID METEORS TO BE VISIBLE
Rosman, NC (November 17, 2010) – Astronomers at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) prompt the public of the annual Geminid Meteor Shower in December.
Meteors outcome from particles of dust triggering the atmosphere to spark as the particles enter the upper atmosphere of the Earth. Following over a period of searching, astronomers in 1983 determined that the parent body for the debris that causes the Geminids is the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This is a bit uncommon as nearly all meteor showers are caused by debris from comets, not asteroids. But, as Phaethon orbits the Sun, it sheds dust particles that endure as a trail of debris in its path. Since the Earth encounters this trail of debris at the identical point in space each time it makes its annual revolution around the Sun, we observe the Geminids on the same date each year, around December 13-14.
In 2010 the Geminids should reach a peak of about 120 meteors per hour about 8 p.m. EST on Monday, December 13. The Geminid Meteor Shower is one of the more reliable showers and we should see some Geminids for a couple of mornings before the 13th and a morning or two afterwards. Successful observing of the Geminids can start as early as 10 p.m. and continue until dawn as the constellation of Gemini the twins rises higher in the sky. One should observe from a clear, dark location with a good horizon. Look high in the northeast for meteors appearing to radiate out of Gemini. This year we are only one day following First Quarter Moon. Thus, the bright moon will be setting about 1 a.m. EST and its light will not interfere with observations of fainter meteors in the predawn skies.
Give it a go; view to the northeast to find the meteors appearing to radiate out of the constellation of Gemini the twins. Binoculars or telescopes are not needed to observe meteors.
About PARI: PARI is a not-for-profit foundation established in 1998. Located in the Pisgah Forest southwest of Asheville, NC, PARI offers educational programs at all levels, from K-12 through post-graduate research. The institute is affiliated with the 16-campus University of North Carolina system through PARSEC, a UNC Center hosted at PARI, and is a member of the NC Grassroots Museum Collaborative. For more information about PARI and its programs, visit http://www.pari.edu.
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