Current:Home > InvestHow to watch the Geminid meteor shower this weekend -MarketLink
How to watch the Geminid meteor shower this weekend
View
Date:2025-04-14 03:33:24
One of the most dramatic astronomical events of the year is scheduled to peak this weekend.
The Geminid meteor shower is considered one of the "best and most reliable" annual meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere, due to the dependable arrival of bold shooting stars every year in mid-December, according to NASA.
It is also one of the most active meteor showers. Under a dark sky with no moon, up to 120 meteors per hour could potentially be seen streaking across the sky, according to EarthSky.org. They are also visible from the Southern Hemisphere, but at lower rates.
What is the Geminid meteor shower?
The Geminids began appearing in the mid-1800s, according to NASA. At the time, there were only about 10 to 20 meteors per hour.
But the frequency of the Geminids has increased with time, Rhiannon Mayne, curator of the Oscar E. Monnig Meteorite Collection and Gallery at Texas Christian University, told ABC News. The Geminids have since grown to become one of the major meteor showers of the year, according to NASA.
The radiant -- the point in the sky in which the Geminids appear to originate from -- is the constellation Gemini, according to NASA.
While meteor showers typically originate from comets, the Geminids originate from a "dead" asteroid -- the 3200 Phaethon.
"It also makes the Geminids unusual because it means we have material of a different composition, because comets are made up of different material than asteroids," Mayne said.
This year, the Geminid meteor shower lasts from Nov. 19 to Dec. 24, the period of time when Earth is passing through the meteor stream in space, according to EarthSky.org.
Where and what time to watch the Geminid meteor shower
The Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak overnight on Friday and Saturday nights, according to EarthSky.org.
But the days before and after the peak can offer views of shooting stars as well.
Since the radiant for the Geminids rises in mid-evening, they tend to be visible all night long, according to EarthSky.org. The radiant rises in mid-evening and is highest around 2 a.m.
However, the hours before and after midnight are the best time to see the Geminids, because that's when the night sky is at its darkest, Mayne said.
The event is also considered one of the best opportunities for young viewers, since shootings stars can start to appear around 9 or 10 p.m.
Mayne recommended getting as far away from city lights as possible to see the Geminids, which will be visible from the entire night sky, not just from the radiant.
Mayne also reminded stargazers to keep their eyes adjusted to the dark for the best viewing possibilities.
"You don't want to go outside, look up for 10 minutes and then say, 'I didn't see anything,'" she said.
Stargazing forecast for the Geminids
The visibility of the Geminids could be drowned out this weekend due to the fullness of the moon, Mayne said. The moon is expected to reach its full phase on Sunday, according to the American Meteorological Society.
Otherwise, forecasts indicate good viewing conditions in the U.S. for during peak activity.
On Friday night, mostly clear skies will bring favorable viewing conditions to the Northeast and much of the Plains and Southwest. Decreasing clouds are expected in the Southeast with improving viewing conditions later in the night.
Clouds, rain and mountain snow will likely hamper viewing the event in the Northwest. Mostly cloudy skies are forecast across the Midwest with scattered rain and snow showers possible in some locations.
On Saturday night, New England, the Plains, the Southwest and Florida will have the most favorable viewing conditions under mostly clear skies. Increasing clouds are expected for much of the Southeast into the mid-Atlantic, so once it's dark out, it's best to view as early as possible in these locations.
Unsettled weather is expected to continue across much of the Northwest with mostly cloudy skies and lingering rain and mountain snow in some areas. A large part of the Midwest will have another night of unfavorable viewing conditions as well, with lots of clouds and rainy weather from the Ohio River Valley into the southern Great Lakes.
ABC News' Dan Peck contributed to this report.
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
veryGood! (41799)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- 6 teenage baseball players charged as adults in South Dakota rape case take plea deals
- In wake of Supreme Court ruling, Biden administration tells doctors to provide emergency abortions
- Jamie Foxx gives new details about mysterious 2023 medical emergency
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Supreme Court rules Trump has immunity for official acts in landmark case on presidential power
- You Must See Louis Tomlinson Enter His Silver Fox Era
- Despite vows of safety from OnlyFans, predators are exploiting kids on the platform
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Shrinking drug coverage puts Americans in a medical (and monetary) bind
Ranking
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Long time coming. Oklahoma's move to the SEC was 10 years in the making
- The Kid Laroi goes Instagram official with Tate McRae in honor of singer's birthday
- José Raúl Mulino sworn in as Panama’s new president, promises to stop migration through Darien Gap
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Groom shot in the head by masked gunman during backyard St. Louis wedding
- Darrell Christian, former AP managing editor and sports editor, dies at 75
- USS Carney returns from a Middle East deployment unlike any other
Recommendation
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
The Real Reason Nick Cannon Insured His Balls for $10 Million
Chet Hanks Reveals Cokeheads Advised Him to Chill Amid Addiction Battle
Video shows man leave toddler on side of the road following suspected carjacking: Watch
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
2 children among 5 killed in small plane crash after New York baseball tournament
The US will pay Moderna $176 million to develop an mRNA pandemic flu vaccine
Dutch volleyball player Steven van de Velde on Paris Olympics team 8 years after child rape conviction