The Annual Winter Meteor Shower: Geminids

Every winter around the middle of December one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year occurs like clockwork. It is known as the Geminids meteor shower and it begins on December 6th and ends around December 19th. In the middle of this duration is when it will reach its peak. This will be on December 13th and the 14th.

This meteor shower is one of the most showy and dazzling of them all in the northern hemisphere. For over a hundred and fifty years this event has been known to be very active displaying at least one streaking meteor every thirty seconds. In other past occurrences it created sixty meteors per hour. On the average, one hundred meteors per hour radiate throughout the sky. This is known as the Zenith Hourly Rate (ZHR).

The winter December sky will provide an excellent chance to experience the meteor event. Visibility will be enhanced by a new moon ensuring that zenith hour rate is seen. Originating from the Gemini constellation and scattering relatively slowly across the sky provides viewers a chance to see the trails with the unaided eye. These shooting star trails last a number of seconds and be seen in varying colors. In the northern latitudes it can be visible in the not-to-late evenings. This is perfect timing for star parties, astrophotography and even family viewing.
Discovery of the Geminids
Three astronomers all working independently in 1862 are credited for the discovery of the Geminids meteor shower. The first noted was R. P. Greg (England), secondly B. V. Marsh (United States.) and lastly A.C. Twining (United States). More sightings and reports came during 1863 and 1864.

It wasn’t until 1983 that the origin of the Geminids meteor shower was uncovered. Once again, three astronomers are given the credit. Two for identifying an asteroid and one for researching and associating the orbit to the meteor shower. Simon Green and John Davies identified the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. Fred Whipple noted the asteroid’s orbit and associated it to the meteor shower.

What is still a mystery about the Geminids meteor shower? Even though 3200 Phaethon has been identified as an asteroid, there is a possibility that it could be a dormant comet. The question arose when a photographic density study was conducted and the results proved to be less dense than asteroids.

Asteroid or comet, 3200 Phaethon has been officially linked to be the origin of the Geminids meteor shower. The meteor shower happens every December and this year gives us a great chance to watch.