This weekend, the yearly Geminid meteor shower is set to reach its peak, providing stargazers with an opportunity to witness what is often regarded as the most impressive and reliable shooting star event of the year.
Although the meteor shower has been active for over a week, it is anticipated to hit its peak activity on Saturday and Sunday nights. As reported by NASA.
Shooting stars can be observed in both the northern and southern hemispheres. However, the Geminid meteor shower tends to be brighter and more frequent in the northern hemisphere due to its trajectory in the night sky.
Under perfect conditions with clear skies and little light interference, skywatchers may be able to see as many as 120 Geminid meteors per hour, according to NASA.
The Geminid meteor shower is famed for its vibrant, colorful fireballs that blaze across the night sky.
For optimal viewing, venture outside between midnight and early morning local time, and gaze towards the eastern sky in the direction of the constellation Gemini.
When the moon rises, it will be just 26% illuminated, which means it won’t disrupt this year’s Geminid meteor shower experience.
Meteor showers occur when Earth travels through clouds of small rocks, dust, and debris, which ignite upon entering the planet’s atmosphere. While most meteor showers are linked to comet debris, the Geminid meteor shower is derived from debris left by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon.
The Geminid meteor shower showcases striking colors ranging from yellow and red to even greenish hues, attributed to the chemical makeup of the asteroid debris.
The Orionid meteor shower will soon light up the night sky once again.
This year’s event is anticipated to be particularly stunning, as the peak of the Orionid meteor shower in 2025 aligns with the new moon night, making the sky notably darker.
You don’t require any special gear to observe meteor showers, making it an excellent introduction to stargazing. All you need are your eyes and a clear, dark sky.
Here’s all the essential information to enhance your viewing experience.
When is the Orionid meteor shower tonight?
The 2025 Orionid meteor shower will reach its peak during the night of October 21-22 in the US and UK, but you can catch glimpses of it from October to November.
This meteor shower is relatively prominent. Under optimal conditions, you might see 10 to 20 meteors each hour, though realistically you may spot one roughly every 10 minutes.
What makes the 2025 Orionids especially remarkable is the coincidence with the new moon, allowing for darker skies and visibility of fainter meteors.
Meteors can be seen throughout the night, but many fade below the horizon in the evening. For a better view, wait until after midnight when they will be higher in the sky.
However, the key factor in your viewing experience will be the weather. Keep an eye on the forecast for any breaks in the cloud cover. Even if conditions aren’t ideal, you might catch some meteors if the sky is partly clear.
Don’t fret if the weather doesn’t seem promising on the peak night. You should still see plenty of meteors around October 21st.
How can you see the Orionid meteor shower in 2025?
Meteor showers provide a wonderful shared experience—invite your friends and family! – Credit: Getty
The ideal way to observe a meteor shower is to venture to the darkest location available. Escaping the light pollution of urban areas is your best bet (ensure you have permission and stay in a safe area after dark).
If you can’t get out of the city, try to avoid any direct light sources, whether that’s at your local park or a corner of your garden shielded from streetlights by a fence.
Instead of focusing on one specific direction, aim to take in as much of the sky as possible. Sun loungers make it comfortable to lie back and gaze upwards without straining your neck. Remember to dress warmly and bring along some snacks.
Leave your telescope at home; for meteor watching, your eyes are the best tool you have.
Give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Be cautious—any brief exposure to bright light, including your phone, can reset this adjustment.
Now, keep looking up and be patient. Eventually, you should start to see meteors streaking across the sky.
What is a meteor shower?
The Orionid meteor shower is a result of Halley’s Comet, which orbits the inner Solar System approximately every 75 years (its next visit is slated for 2061). As the comet passes, it leaves behind a trail of dust and debris.
Every year, Earth passes through this debris stream, causing tiny particles to collide with our atmosphere at incredible speeds of 70 km (41 miles) per second. This collision heats up the air, creating bright flashes of light known as meteors or shooting stars.
Why are they called the Orionid meteor shower?
Orion is one of the brightest constellations visible in the northern sky – Credit: Getty
The shower derives its name from the fact that all meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Orion.
If you track an Orionid meteor’s path, you’ll find it leads back to this particular constellation.
Orion can be easily recognized by the three bright stars that form its well-known belt in the southern sky. If you’re unsure of what to look for, consider downloading a stargazing or astronomy app to assist you.
Additionally, you might spot meteors that do not originate from the Orion constellation. If so, congratulations! You’ve encountered a stray meteor that coincidentally entered Earth’s atmosphere during the shower.
While our universe is filled with wonders, we can only see a fraction of the astronomical phenomena with our naked eyes. Among these are meteor showers, nature’s fireworks that create bright, streaked patterns against the night sky.
The latest meteor shower has been ongoing since April 19th and is anticipated to last until May 28th. It will peak early Tuesday morning on the nights of May 5th to 6th.
The ETA Aquarido meteor shower is famous for its swift fireballs, which occur as it traverses the debris left by Halley’s comet.
Occasionally spelled “eta aquariid,” this shower is best viewed from the tropical regions in the south. However, meteors can also be spotted in the northern hemisphere around sunrise. The moon will illuminate nearly two-thirds of the night during this event.
For viewing tips, you can check the global meteor network, which provides data indicating when fireball activity is expected to rise in the coming days.
What Causes Meteor Showers?
You might spot a single meteor on any given night, but your best bet is during a meteor shower. Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through clouds of debris trailing behind comets and asteroids as they orbit the sun. These fragments, sometimes as small as grains of sand, create a luminous streak as they burn up in our atmosphere.
Meteor showers typically occur around the same time each year and can last from days to weeks. However, there are brief peaks during which the activity is most intense. This occurs when Earth passes through the densest part of the debris stream. At peak times, meteors appear to radiate from a specific point in the sky.
For instance, the Perseid meteor shower peaks in mid-August and originates from the constellation Perseus, while the Geminids occur every December and emanate from the constellation Gemini.
Keep Times Space and the Astronomical Calendar bookmarked for reminders about meteor showers throughout the year.
Tips for Observing Meteor Showers
Michelle Nichols, Director of Observation at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, recommends using telescopes and binoculars while watching meteor showers.
“You need your eyes and ideally a dark sky,” she noted.
This is because meteors can streak across a vast area of the sky, and using equipment can restrict your field of vision.
Some showers are potent enough to produce up to 100 meteors per hour, according to the American Meteor Society, though you probably won’t see that many.
“Most people are under a sky that is somewhat light-polluted,” Nichols explained. “You might think you’ve found a dark sky, but even in a small town, bright lights can be nearby.”
Planetariums and local astronomy clubs, as well as light pollution maps, can help you identify areas with less light interference. The ideal conditions for viewing meteor showers include a clear sky between midnight and sunrise, with no moon or cloud cover. (Moonlight can hinder visibility just as much as light pollution, overshadowing celestial bodies in the sky.) Allow your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
Nichols advises wearing layers during the summer. “You may find yourself sitting and watching for quite a while,” she said. “Even in August, temperatures can drop.”
Bring along some hot cocoa or tea for extra warmth. Then lie back and scan the sky to enjoy the spectacle.
The Spring Skywatch is in top condition. The annual Lilid Meteor Shower is back, offering people in the Northern Hemisphere the chance to catch shooting stars in the night sky.
The Meteor Shower began on April 16th, but peaks on Monday nights and early Tuesday mornings. When the weather allowed, the Skywatcher could see up to 15 shooting stars per hour during that period, as long as they were in dark places.
Lilid is usually one of the most reliable meteor showers of the year, and its timing coincides with milder spring temperatures throughout the Northern Hemisphere, making it a popular celestial show.
This year’s peak occurs in a declining crescent moon that will satisfy approximately 27% of the time. According to NASA which means that the shooting star is unlikely to be washed away by the bright moonlight.
To enjoy the peak to the best, NASA recommends watching outside from Monday nights from 10pm in the area until the next morning dawn. However, whenever it is late on a Monday evening, and before the moon rises around 3:30am, local time you will have the chance to see meteors scattered across the night sky.
Lilids are usually the most clearly observed from the Northern Hemisphere, but according to NASA, Eagle Eyed Skywatchers in the Southern Hemisphere may be able to find some shooting stars.
If conditions are clear, it is best to choose an unobstructed viewing location under the darkest sky possible, away from city lights and other forms of light pollution.
Skywatchers must face roughly eastward and look straight ahead. Meteors are striped from every point, and it is known that Lilids sometimes leave bright trails when dancing across the night sky.
Meteor showers can be enjoyed without special equipment, but experts suggest giving your eyes time to adjust to the darkness, so that you can spend about 45 minutes without seeing a mobile phone or bright light.
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through remaining debris from comets and asteroids. As our planet orbits the Sun and shakes these rocks and dust clouds, the fragments evaporate into the atmosphere, appearing like stripes of light in the sky.
Lilid is C/1861 G1, or Comet Thatcher. It was named after Alfred E. Thatcher, an amateur astronomer who first observed a comet in 1861.
After the peak, the Lyrid meteor shower will continue to be on display until April 29th.
The annual Quadrantids meteor shower is scheduled to reach its peak early Friday morning.
This will be the first meteor shower in 2025.
The crescent moon sets before the shower peaks, so future shows won’t be overshadowed by moonlight.
Ring in the new year with the first meteor shower of 2025.
The annual Quadrantids meteor shower is scheduled to peak early Friday morning, before dawn. Showers have already begun to fall, but that’s when people in the northern hemisphere will have the best chance of seeing shooting stars. The celestial show will continue until January 16th, although some lucky ones might be able to find some photos on New Year’s Eve.
The Quadrantids meteor shower is caused by a piece of an asteroid called 2003 EH1, which takes more than five years to complete one orbit around the sun.
The Quadrantids meteor shower is known for producing brighter, and sometimes more colorful, fireball meteors because they originate from larger pieces.
By the peak of the rain early Friday morning, the crescent moon has already set, so there’s no danger of the shooting stars being obscured by the bright moonlight.
The Quadrantids meteor shower will be best visible in mid-northern to far northern latitudes on Friday before sunlight begins to shine. For ideal viewing, pack your bags and go somewhere with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky, away from city lights.
Meteors can be seen with the naked eye without the need for special equipment.
In both clear and dark conditions, people were able to spot about 120 meteors per hour during the peak of the shower. According to NASA.
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through huge streams of debris from comets and asteroids. When these pieces of rock and space dust collide with the planet’s atmosphere, they flare up and streak the night sky as shooting stars.
While most other meteor showers take two or more days to reach their peak, the Quadrantids’ peak is short, lasting only about six hours. NASA says this is because the debris cloud is relatively thin and Earth’s orbit is such that the planet passes through it at a perpendicular angle.
Meteor showers are usually named based on where in the sky the shooting stars appear to originate from. For example, Perseid meteors appear to come from the constellation Perseus, and Geminid meteors appear to originate from the constellation Gemini.
However, the Cygnids meteor shower is named after a now-defunct constellation known as the Cygnus. This group of stars was not included when the International Astronomical Union compiled its list of recognized modern constellations in 1922, but the meteor shower retained its name.
The former constellation Quadrans Muralis was located near the Big Dipper. Although meteors may appear to come from this point in the sky, people should be able to see them across the sky without looking in a specific direction.
The next major meteor shower this year, following the Cygnids meteor shower, is the Lyrid meteor shower, which occurs in April.
The annual Geminid meteor shower is scheduled to peak Friday night and early Saturday.
It is usually one of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year.
Stargazers can also look for Jupiter and three bright star formations known as the Winter Triangle.
Stargazers may have something to look forward to this weekend, as the annual Geminid meteor shower peaks Friday night into early Saturday morning.
The meteor shower has been going on all month, but the number of shooting stars is expected to increase into the weekend, especially after midnight Friday and in the pre-dawn darkness. According to NASA.
The Geminid meteor shower can be seen in the northern and southern hemispheres, but a nearly full moon could wash out some faint shooting stars in this year’s show.
Still, the Geminid meteor shower is typically one of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year, so when conditions are clear, skywatchers can spot bright meteors streaking the night sky. You can do that.
Under ideal sky viewing conditions, with no bright moonlight and little interfering light pollution, you can see as many as 120 Geminid meteor showers per hour.
The Geminid meteor shower was observed in Mumbai, India on December 14, 2017. Pratik Chorge / Hindustan Times / Getty Images File
As their name suggests, Geminid meteors appear to stream from the constellation Gemini, but skywatchers should be able to see the shooting stars without looking directly into the constellation.
NASA experts suggest lying on your back with your feet facing south to enjoy the Geminid meteor shower. It is best to choose a dark viewing location, away from city lights and other light pollution.
Unlike most other meteor showers, which are caused by comet debris that has burned up in Earth’s atmosphere, the Geminid meteor shower is the remains of an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon.
If you’re planning on checking out the meteor shower this weekend, be sure to also look for Jupiter in the night sky. The planet lies between the nearly full moon and the brightest reddish-orange star in the constellation Taurus, called Aldebaran, and is visible to the naked eye.
Meanwhile, all winter long, skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere also have the chance to spot the Winter Triangle, a three-bright star formation. This celestial triangle, consisting of Sirius in the constellation Canis Major, Procyon in the constellation Canis Minor, and Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion, stands out in the winter sky.
To see the Winter Triangle, first look for the three stars that make up Orion’s distinctive band. A little below and to the left of the belt is Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. From there Procyon is a little higher and to the left. Betelgeuse can be seen by looking back toward the constellation Orion, and the shoulder of the constellation appears red.
The annual Taurid meteor shower is back and it’s a two-part shooting star spectacle. The first half, Southern Taurus, already occurred in September. But if you missed it, the northern Taurid meteor shower is here!
This event is known for its bright and impressive fireball meteors that light up the sky. Learn how to accurately observe the Taurid meteor shower and discover more about its origins.
When will the Taurid meteor shower occur in 2024?
The Northern Taurid meteor shower will peak on the night of November 11, 2024 in the UK, US, and other countries. This is the time to see the most fireball shooting stars.
In 2024, Taurus in the North will be active from October 20th to December 10th. The closer you are to the peak, the more shooting stars you will witness.
Where should I look to see a fireball?
You can see Taurid meteors streaking across the sky, so lie down and look up. The shooting stars originate from the constellation Taurus, visible in winter near Orion.
To locate Taurus, look towards Orion’s belt and find Aldebaran. Use astronomy apps for guidance and view from a location with minimal light pollution for the best experience.
How many meteors can you see?
Most years, the Taurid meteor shower is weak, with only a few meteors visible per night. However, there can be more under perfect conditions, with up to five meteors per hour. These meteors often produce dramatic fireballs.
The Taurid meteor shower is a gamble – each night can bring a few small meteors or a display of fireballs.
What causes the Taurid meteor shower?
The Taurid meteor shower originates from Comet Encke, with the northern variation likely from an Encke offshoot known as 2004 TG10. Earth passes through the remains of asteroid 2004 TG10, creating the spectacle we see in the sky.
Comet Encke is believed to be a fragment of a larger comet that broke up thousands of years ago.
China has introduced solar power generation, and panels have been installed on North Barren Mountain in Zhangjiakou City.
Cost Photo/NurPhoto/Getty Images
With large-scale deployment of wind and solar power across China, the country's emissions could peak in 2023, potentially marking a historic turning point in the fight against climate change. be.
China's CO2 emissions hit a record high in 2023 as the Chinese economy recovers from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. But since then, large amounts of wind and solar power have been added to the country's power grid, while emissions from the construction industry have declined.
China's carbon dioxide emissions remained flat from July to September 2024, after falling by 1% in the second quarter of this year, according to a new analysis. This means that overall emissions in 2024 could be flat or slightly down at 2023 levels.
This will be critical to tackling global climate change. Lauri Milivirta At the Center for Energy and Clean Air Research, a Finnish think tank. “For the past eight years, since the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement, China's emissions growth has been the main driver of global emissions,” he says.
In its climate change plan submitted to the United Nations, China pledged to peak greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. But experts warn. This plan is not very ambitious Given the large impact that China, the world's largest emitter, has on global climate change.
It's important for China to bring emissions to a peak as soon as possible, Millibilta said. “This would pave the way for the country to start reducing emissions much sooner than current commitments require,” he said. “This will have huge implications for global efforts to avoid catastrophic climate change.”
China is rushing to ramp up power supplies across the country to meet rapidly growing power demand. This demand increased by 7.2% year-on-year from July to September, due to rising living standards and increased demand for air conditioning due to the strong heat wave from August to September.
New renewable energy sources are being introduced at breakneck speed across China to fill the electricity demand gap. From July to September, compared to the same period in 2023, solar power generation increased by 44 percent and wind power generation increased by a whopping 24 percent. Based on the current trajectory, China's solar power growth this year will rival China's total annual electricity generation. Australia in 2023.
However, coal-fired power usage still increased by 2% and gas production increased by 13% from July to September in response to increased demand. This resulted in an overall 3% increase in CO2 emissions from China's power sector during this period. However, these were offset by a slowdown in the construction industry across China as real estate investment declined.
Oil demand also fell by 2% in the third quarter of this year, as electric vehicles continue to make up a larger share of China's car fleet. By 2030, almost one in three cars on China's roads will be expected to be electric.
Myllyvirta carried out an analysis of the website carbon briefs Uses official figures and commercial data. “If the rapid growth of clean energy is sustained, it will pave the way for sustainable emissions reductions,” he says.
However, he said that flat or declining emissions in 2024 were not guaranteed as government stimulus measures to boost the economy could cause emissions to rise in the last three months of the year. He warns that this does not mean that the Carbon emissions must fall by at least 2% in the last three months. He predicted that three months of this year will be below 2023 levels.
still Signals from the Chinese government It has signaled that the country's emissions are expected to continue rising until the end of the decade, which would use up the remaining global carbon budget by 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Mount Everest, also known as Chomolangma in Tibetan and Sagarmatha in Nepali, is about 15 to 50 meters higher than its original height due to uplift caused by erosion of nearby river canyons, and therefore continues to grow. This is revealed in a new study.
Han et al. They found that erosion from a network of rivers about 75 km from Everest had carved out a significant canyon. This landmass loss has caused mountains to rise by 2 mm per year, and their heights have already increased by 15 to 50 meters over the past 89,000 years. Image credit: truthseeker08.
The Himalayas, formed by the subduction of the Indian tectonic plate beneath the Eurasian plate, are home to some of the highest mountains on Earth.
Mount Everest is 8,849 meters above sea level, about 250 meters higher than the other highest peaks in the Himalayas.
Previous analysis of GPS data suggests that Everest's recent uplift is about 2 mm per year, which exceeds the expected uplift rate for the mountain range and suggests that mechanisms other than ongoing regional tectonics are responsible. This suggests that it may contribute to this process.
“Mount Everest is a remarkable mountain of myth and legend, and it continues to grow,” said Dr. Student Adam Smith.
“Our research shows that the nearby river system is cutting deeper and the loss of material is causing the mountain to spring further upwards.”
In this study, Smith and his colleagues investigated whether changes in rivers near the mountain may have contributed to Everest's recent uplift.
They used a numerical model to simulate the evolution of the Kosi river network and compared it to existing landforms.
These models suggest that the Arun River, a major tributary of the Kosi River, was involved in the occupation of another river 89,000 years ago.
The diversion of river water accelerated river erosion as the river adapted to its new path, resulting in the formation of the deep Arun River Gorge.
“Currently, the Arun River flows east of Mount Everest and joins the larger Kosi River system downstream,” Mr Smith said.
“For thousands of years, the River Arun has carved great gorges along its banks, washing away billions of tonnes of soil and sediment.”
“There are interesting river systems in the Everest region,” said Dr. Jing Geng Dai, a researcher at the China University of Geosciences.
“The upper Arun River flows eastward through highlands with flat valleys.''
“Then it suddenly turns south as the Kosi River, dropping in elevation and becoming steeper.”
“This unique feature of instability may be related to Everest's extreme height.”
The authors conclude that although erosion would have lowered local elevations along the river channel, the formation of the canyon removed the eroded mass relatively abruptly, allowing the surrounding landforms, including Everest, to compensate with surface uplift. It is argued that there is a possibility that
Although its contribution may be small compared to tectonic deformation, fluvial capture may play a role in both erosion and uplift of high landforms.
“Everest and its neighboring mountains are growing because isotropic rebound is causing them to rise faster than erosional wear,” said Dr. Matthew Fox, a researcher at University College London. said.
“Using GPS equipment, we can see it grow by about two millimeters every year. Now we can better understand what's causing that.”
“The change in the height of Mount Everest really highlights the dynamic nature of the Earth's surface,” says Dr. Xu Han, a researcher at the China University of Geosciences.
“The interaction between the erosion of the Arun River and the upward pressure of the Earth's mantle gives Everest a boost, pushing it higher than normal.”
of study Published in a magazine natural earth science.
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X Han others. The recent uplift of Chomolungma was reinforced by river drainage piracy. nut. earth sciencepublished online on September 30, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41561-024-01535-w
Mateo Greco, Research Analyst, Listed Digital Assets and FinTech Investment Business Finekia International (CSE:FNQ).
Bitcoin (BTC) ended the week at around $68,400, down just 0.8% from the previous week’s closing price of around $69,000. Throughout the week, BTC showed significant volatility, with a price range of 13.4%. The week started off strong with BTC surging to $72,000 on Monday. It then peaked above $73,000 on both Wednesday and Thursday, before reaching an all-time high of nearly $73,800 on Thursday.
Also on Thursday, BTC plummeted to $68,000 before rebounding to close around $71,400. Selling pressure continued on Friday and Saturday, with BTC falling to $64,700 before closing near $65,300 on Saturday. However, positive momentum returned on Sunday, nearly reversing weekly losses and closing at around $68,400.
Despite the volatility and price changes, the past week demonstrated continued strong momentum for the BTC Spot ETF, with net inflows recorded on every trading day. Net inflows for the week exceeded $2.5 billion, with net inflows exceeding $1 billion on Tuesday alone. Cumulative net inflows since its inception are currently approximately $12.2 billion.
BTC spot ETF trading volume is also on the rise, with total trading volume reaching $141.7 billion since inception, including around $28 billion in trades last week. This took his daily trading volume past his $5.5 billion mark last week, and his average daily trading volume has increased since its inception, now sitting at around $3.15 billion.
These numbers confirm that investment momentum from traditional finance to the digital asset space continues. Despite BTC price stabilization last week, demand is primarily coming from ETFs, while native digital asset investors are more active on the short side.
This trend is noticeable in the decline in BTC held by long-term holders, which refers to BTC that has not moved for at least 155 days. At the beginning of 2024, this supply was approximately 16.3 million BTC, but has gradually decreased and currently stands at approximately 15.1 million BTC. While this shift reflects traditional investors driving purchasing activity through ETFs, native digital asset investors who accumulated during the downtrend in 2022 and 2023 are now seeing higher profit-taking rates. The supply of long-term holders is decreasing.
Such behavior is characteristic of early bull phases, when long-term holders distribute assets to new investors. Analyzing past cycles, if the current market is trending up, this pattern is likely to continue until supply from long-term holders matches demand from new investors, which typically occurs at the peak of the cycle. coincides with the beginning of the downtrend phase.
Notably, BTC’s halving is approximately 1 month later, whereas previous cycles’ peaks have historically been 6 to 12 months later. If past patterns repeat, the peak of the current cycle could occur in late 2024 or early 2025.
Thomas Edison says: He held a steel ball in each hand as he prepared for a nap.. When he nodded, they would fall and wake him up so he could write down ideas that came to him in the moments just before sleep, when he believed he was most creative. But are there really specific times when our brains perform better? And more broadly, are we better at different kinds of thinking at different stages of life? If so, it's worth asking how you can make the most of these mental peaks and maximize your brain's capabilities.?
Edison's methods may have been unorthodox, but It turned out that he was onto somethingas Delphine Audinet It was discovered in 2021 by the Paris Brain Institute and colleagues. They gave 103 slightly sleep-deprived people a seemingly complex math problem that they could solve with simple creative insight. Participants who woke up immediately after falling asleep were almost three times more likely to take a creative leap and solve a problem than those who stayed awake throughout the experiment.
This knowledge may be useful if you are looking for inspiration. But if that's the memory you're trying to optimize, deep sleep is when your brain does the heavy lifting, accumulating new long-term memories from the day's experiences. To get the most out of this, you need plenty of sleep. Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. If you are among them, A lot of people…
Unlike last year, when a nearly full moon marred the meteor shower, tonight's Geminid meteor shower in 2023 will be spectacular. The Geminid meteor shower peaks at the new moon, so conditions are favorable, and you may benefit from this crisp, cool night. Sunny sky.
Make the most of it this year. That's because next year's 2024 Geminid meteor shower will peak during a full moon, so things won't be as good. The Geminid meteor shower is a great shower to get young astronomers involved in because the showers start relatively early (around 9 pm to 10 pm). and They are colorful!
So how can you find a Geminid? How can you tell them apart from sporadic or Andromedids? What causes the color difference in meteors? Where in the sky are you looking?
If you want to plan ahead for upcoming meteor showers in the UK, be sure to read more in our comprehensive meteor shower guide. If you're looking for more stargazing tips, check out our beginner's guide to astronomy.
When will the Geminid meteor shower occur in 2023?
The Geminid meteor shower will peak tonight, Wednesday, December 13th. This meteor shower will remain visible until December 20, 2023, when it overlaps with the Uruid meteor shower.
The Geminid meteor shower is of reasonable length and is one of the best and most reliable showers throughout the year. It is also one of the most active climates, with its peak extending over several nights from December 12th to 15th. This is helpful when dealing with ever-changing weather.
When is the best time to see the Geminid meteor shower?
Unlike other meteor showers, the Geminid meteor shower has a broad maximum when there is only a short period of time before there is a reliable “best time” for observing. This means you have a better chance of spotting a shooting star.
“The Geminid meteor shower is probably the best of the year, with a high peak of activity in mid-December and a wide range of duration,” says veteran astronomer Pete Lawrence.
“During 2023, the moon will not interfere at all, as it will be a new moon on December 12th. The night peaks will be on December 12/13, 13/14, and 14/15, if the sky is clear. , there can be up to 12 hours of darkness each night,” Lawrence explains.
Under perfect conditions, Gemind's Zenith Hour Rate (ZHR) would be 150. This means you could see up to 120 to 150 meteors per hour at its peak. However, even if there are favorable conditions like this year, the reality is that there is a high possibility that this will not be the case. Still, you can expect to see about 60 meteors per hour, or about 1 to 2 per minute, from around 10 p.m. until dawn.
“At its peak, the Geminid meteor shower's zenith time rate, or the number of meteors you would expect to see under perfect conditions, will be around 120 meteors per hour. In reality, the actual number is lower than this. is lower, but still enough to be impressive,” says Lawrence.
Compared to other meteor showers, the Geminid meteor shower has a relatively moderate speed of 126,000 km/h (78,000 mph), or 35 km/s (22 miles per second).
(The fastest meteors come from the Leonids in November, which is about twice as fast as the Geminids.)
When the Geminid meteor shower was first observed in the mid-1800s, the showers were not as impressive as they are today. There are only about 10 to 20 meteors per hour.. Since then, the number of meteors has increased to about 120 per hour and is still thought to be intensifying each year.
colorful meteor
The Geminid meteor shower is bright and can appear white, yellow, green, and sometimes red, orange, or blue. This is due to the presence of metals that make up the pieces, similar to how we design fireworks to look colorful when they explode.
The air a meteor travels through also affects the colors we see, but it's generally different chemical elements that produce the different colors of meteors. When a meteor enters Earth's atmosphere, these various chemicals ionize and emit light.
Most Geminid meteors appear yellow or white in color. High iron/magnesium ratioBut you might also be able to find purple meteors from calcium-rich debris, or a beautiful blue-green color from magnesium.
Geminid meteor colors and their meanings
yellow: iron, magnesium
Green/Blue: nickel, magnesium
purple: rich in calcium
Blue: Rich in magnesium including ionized calcium
Red and orange: sodium, potassium, nitrogen, oxygen
Where should you look in the sky to see the Geminid meteor shower?
Meteor showers are usually named after the constellation in which their radiant is located. The radiant of a meteor shower refers to the point in the sky where meteors appear to originate. In the case of the Geminid meteor shower, they appear to originate from the Geminid constellation, but this is not the actual “source,” just how we perceive it from Earth . “Perspective effects cause Geminid meteors to be ejected from a location close to the Gemini star Caster during peak activity,” Lawrence says. To find Gemini, look for Orion the Hunter (if you need a refresher, check out our Beginner's Guide to Astronomy). It is easily distinguished by the three bright stars that make up Orion's belt: Mintaka, Alnylam, and Alnitak. If you look up to your left from the constellation Orion, you'll see two bright stars high in the sky: Castor and Pollux. These two stars each represent the twins in the constellation Gemini. The Gemini radiant lies directly above Castor, which is the slightly fainter of her two stars (Pollocks is brighter and more yellow in color).
Pro tip: incorporate as much sky as possible
But for the best chance of seeing more meteors, try to take in as much of the sky as possible. Although the meteors appear to originate from the constellation Gemini, they appear all over the sky. Meteors farther away from the radiant appear to leave longer trails, while meteors closer to the radiant may appear shorter. This is because at the radiant point, the meteor is tilted toward us. Known as “shortening.” Therefore, for the best chance of seeing long-tailed meteors (the result of them traveling further from their source), it's best to look a little further away from the constellation.
How to increase your chances of spotting a Geminid meteor
To make the most of this amazing shower, find a dark spot away from street lights if possible to minimize light pollution. Look for a spot where you can see as much of the sky as possible. Patience is key, as your eyes may take some time to adjust to the darkness. If you plan to spend a long time in the cold night air, a comfortable reclining position and warm clothing are recommended. And, as Lawrence explains, you don't need any special equipment to observe the Geminid meteor shower. “Activities will take place from December 4th to 17th. All you need is your eyes to observe the shower. Wait 20 minutes in the dark before starting your watch. Dress warmly and sit on a sun lounger or Using the equivalent, you can lie down and look up at an altitude of about 60 degrees (two-thirds of the sky) and see large stars and planets to the south in all directions.” If you have a counting counter handy, it's a handy way to keep track of how many meteors you see, especially when there can be as many meteors as there are in the Geminid meteor shower.
Why is this year's Geminid meteor shower so successful?
The 2023 Geminid meteor shower is expected to be the best meteor shower of the year due to the large number of meteors expected and favorable conditions. Moonless nights coincide with the peak, providing optimal viewing conditions. The only thing we have to deal with is the weather. “Some years are good for meteor showers, and others are not so good. The visibility and potential sight of such events depends on the quality of the sky, the degree of light pollution, the presence of the moon, and the local weather. It’s decided,” Lawrence said. “Light pollution and potential weather can be managed by planning ahead and moving locations if conditions are not favorable. It's not so easy to deal with the moon and the sky When it’s big and bright, everything is drowned out by the brightest meteor trails,” he added. Therefore, it is very convenient that the moon does not disturb us this year.
Where did the Geminid meteor shower come from?
The Geminid meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through a stream of dust and debris left behind by comets and asteroids orbiting the sun. But unlike other meteor showers that favor comet debris, the Geminid meteor shower is a little different. “Geminid meteors have a strange origin and are associated with the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. Described as 'rocky comets,' these objects typically have sand grain-sized particles scattered around their orbits, which make up the Earth's surface. When it encounters the atmosphere, it evaporates and creates a meteor trail,” Lawrence said. When the Geminid meteor shower peaks between December 12 and 15, that's when we pass through the densest part of the stream. 3200 Phaethon is unique for more than just the fact that most meteor showers are caused by comet debris rather than asteroids. Its orbit brings it closer to the Sun than any other asteroid.
mystery to be solved
Technically, 3200 Phaethon is a near-Earth asteroidHowever, because it exhibits properties of both an asteroid and a comet, many refer to it as a “rocky comet” or even a “dead comet” in some cases. It takes just 1.4 years to go around the sun. a Recent research published in Planetary Science Journal This suggests that it has a tail made of sodium gas, rather than dust as previously thought. (For comparison, most asteroids are composed primarily of rock, so they don't form tails as they approach the Sun.) So if Phaethon has a sodium tail, how could the Geminid meteor shower form? Could it have released other substances? DESTINY+, Missions currently planned for 2025 The purpose is to know. The spacecraft, currently being developed by Japan's space agency JAXA, will perform a flyby of Phaethon and collect samples of dust streams. The mission will also demonstrate technologies that will enable future low-cost, high-frequency deep space exploration.
About our expert Pete Lawrence
Pete Lawrence is an experienced astronomer, astrophotographer and BBC presenter. night sky. You can watch him on BBC Four or catch up on demand on BBC iPlayer.
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