By AP Science Writer Christina Larson
One of the few significant meteor showers from asteroids, the Geminids, peaks on Friday. This is one of the last opportunities to witness fireballs in the sky this year.
According to Sally Brummel, manager of the planetarium at the University of Minnesota’s Bell Museum, the shower frequently yields meteors with a noticeably brighter yellow glow, probably because of the peculiar origin material.
Due to the large number of meteors visible each hour, the Geminids usually put on one of the greatest and brightest exhibitions of the year under favorable viewing conditions. At peak time, however, the American Meteor Society predicts up to 15 meteors per hour due to this year’s nearly full moon.
According to Brummel, many of them will be washed out by the moonlight.
The last day to view is December 21. Here are some facts regarding meteor showers, including the Geminids.
What is a meteor shower?
Every year, there are several meteor showers that can be seen without specialized equipment.
The majority of meteor showers are caused by comet debris, although some, like the Geminids, are caused by asteroidal debris. The asteroid 3200 Phaethon orbits the sun and is the source of the Geminids.
The air’s resistance causes pebbles from space to become extremely heated as they approach Earth’s atmosphere. As a result, the air surrounding them glows, and a shooting star’s flaming tail appears momentarily behind them.
The night sky may show the luminous pockets of air surrounding rapidly moving space rocks, which can be as small as a dust particle or as large as a boulder.
According to NASA’s William Cooke, the Geminids are particularly likely to produce fireballs since asteroid debris is typically rocky. According to him, the rocks are quite durable and have the ability to pierce the atmosphere deeply.
FILE: Late on December 13, 2017, a meteor rushes across the sky over an Orthodox church close to the village of Zagorie, Belarus, during the yearly Geminids meteor shower. (AP Image/File: Sergei Grits)AP
How to view a meteor shower
The best time to see meteor showers is typically from midnight to sunrise.
Away from city lights and in dark skies, shooting stars are easier to observe. Additionally, during cloudless evenings when the moon is at its smallest, meteor showers look brightest.
Additionally, if you avoid looking at your phone, your eyes will become more accustomed to viewing meteors.
When is the next meteor shower?
The Ursids, the next meteor shower, will peak on December 22.
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