A treat from asteroid 3200 Phaethon until this Christmas Eve.
Here are things you should know about the Geminids meteor shower from asteroid 3200 Phaethon. (Photo: Syfy)
Geminids Meteor Shower From Asteroid 3200 Phaethon
The Geminids meteor shower from asteroid 3200 Phaethon is happening now and will peak on Wednesday night. The Geminids meteor shower from asteroid 3200 Phaethon started on November 19 and will continue until December 24.
This meteor shower from asteroid 3200 Phaethon is known to be one of the best and most reliable. The meteor shower from asteroid 3200 Phaethon can also be seen worldwide, and it is recommended to view it at night or in the pre-dawn hours.
The meteors from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon can be seen across the entire night sky, making it a great opportunity for young stargazers. To see the Geminids from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, find a place away from city lights, lie flat on your back facing south, and let your eyes adjust to the darkness for about 30 minutes.
According to a published article by CBS News, bringing something comfortable to sit or lie on is advised. The Geminids from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon stand out because they are usually the strongest meteor shower, with up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. Unlike most other meteor showers that come from comets, the Geminids come from asteroid 3200 Phaethon.
This shower has grown bigger since it first appeared in the mid-1800s. The Geminid meteors are bright, fast, and typically yellow. They streak across the sky at a speed of 22 miles per second. During a meteor shower, meteors heat up as they enter Earth’s atmosphere, appearing as shooting stars. While most burn up in space, if they survive and reach the ground, they are called meteorites.
Bold, White, And Bright Appearance
In a published article by EarthSky, the Geminids are known for their bold, white, and bright appearance, and under optimal conditions, you might see around 120 meteors per hour.
The shower will be particularly visible in the Northern Hemisphere, with a dark sky due to the new moon falling on December 12, but can also be seen, though at lower rates, from the Southern Hemisphere.
The Geminids are considered one of the best meteor showers and can rival the August Perseids in terms of the number of meteors.
READ ALSO: Recent Extreme Weather Events In Frigid Locations Are Caused By Climate Change, Researchers Say
