The multiple cameras of NASA's fireball
network are able to measure the orbits of Geminid
meteoroids. This plot shows the orbits of the 39
fireballs recorded so far this week:
Earth is the blue dot where all the
orbits intersect. The purple curve shows the path
of Geminid parent 3200 Phaethon.
Forecasters expect the shower to peak
on Dec. 13-14 when Earth passes through the busiest
part of Phaethon's debris stream. Peak rates could
reach 120 meteors per hour. However, glare from
the nearly-full Moon could reduce the number of
visible meteors 2- to 3-fold. Cooke advises looking
during the hours just before local sunrise on Saturday,
Dec. 14th. "At that time, the Moon will be
below the horizon, improving your chances of seeing
the show."
You can listen to radar echoes from
the Geminids, unaffected by moonlight, on Space
Weather Radio. Also, tune into NASA's live
web chat about the Geminids on Friday the 13th
beginning at 11 pm EST.
I think it will be to cold for me to enjoy these :(
ReplyDeleteIt's only l5 degrees here - Think I'll look out the window instead of going outside!
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