Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks Thursday, Friday Nights
Where and when to look for the last major meteor shower of 2012.
The Geminid meteor shower 2012, the final major meteor shower of every year and likely to be the best, peaks overnight this Thursday and Friday, and you may be able to see a great show on either side of those dates. NASA reports that the Geminids are a relatively young meteor shower, with the first sightings occurring in the 1830s with rates of about 20 per hour. Over the decades the rates have increased, regularly spawning between 80 and 120 per hour at its peak on a clear evening. Earthsky.org reports the Geminids peak might be around 2 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, because that’s when the shower’s radiant point is highest in the sky as seen around the world. "With no moon to ruin the show, 2012 presents a most favorable year for …
Laura L Thornton
4:31 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012
Good question! Earthsky.org says that "the meteors will appear in all parts of the sky. Find an open sky and – if possible – a sky sheltered from artificial lighting." Here's to seeing some meteors tonight! http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/ten-tips-for-watching-the-geminid-meteor-shower more ›