Viewing the Geminid Meteor Shower 2015

Geminid's over Chile, 2013.
 Image Credit & Copyright:
Yuri Beletsky
 (Las Campanas Observatory,
 Carnegie Institution)

The Geminids can be seen each year in December. This year's meteor activity begins on December 4 and will peak on the evenings of December 13 and 14. A waxing crescent moon sets early in the evening making for a nice dark sky.

The shower is named for the constellation Gemini, the Twins, from where the meteors appear to originate. Although most meteor showers are associated with a comet, the Geminids form from the rocky asteroid 3200 Phaethon. The orbit of the 3 mile wide asteroid takes it pretty close to the Sun every 1.4 years. The intense heat causes the asteroid to fracture and crumble off bits of debris which then crash into the Earth's atmosphere every year around December.

The Geminid meteor shower is a favorite, especially for younger viewers, because the show gets going early in the evening. Even so, more meteors will be visible as the constellation Gemini reaches its peak in the night sky, around 2am. This meteor shower can also be one of the most spectacular shows of the year, with possible sightings of over 100 meteors in an hour.

Tips for Viewing Meteor Showers:

1. Find a spot away from areas with bright lights.
2. Check the weather and dress appropriately - you'll be sitting/laying for long stretches.
3. Pack a chair, blanket, some water or a warm beverage and a snack.
4. Sit back, wait, and enjoy.

Give yourself at least an hour to view the show since our eyes need at least 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Avoid looking at your cell phone or using a flashlight. You can use a light with a red filter to preserve your night vision. Also, meteors tend to be active in short bursts, followed by a lull, so be patient.

Where to View the Geminid Meteor Shower:

Morehead Planetarium, the Raleigh Astronomy Club (RAC), and the Chapel Hill Astronomical & Observational Society (CHAOS) will host two skywatching sessions for the Geminid meteor shower:

- December 13     8pm
Little River Regional Park & Natural Area, 301 Little River Park Way, Rougemont, NC 27572
919-732-5505

- December 14     8pm
Jordan Lake - Ebenezer Church Recreation Area, 2582 Beaver Creek Road, Apex, NC 27502
919-962-1236

More information can be found at http://moreheadplanetarium.org/programs/teen-adult-programs/skywatching

Further reading:
Everything you need to know: Geminid meteor shower - http://earthsky.org/?p=187764

Meteor Showers in 2015 - http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/celestial-objects-to-watch/meteor-showers-in-2015-12142014/

Meteor Showers: Shooting for Shooting Stars -
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2010-118