According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the annual Geminids meteor shower is set to run from Dec 4 to 17. Its peak activity is on the night of Dec 14 (around 8pm) until the early morning hours of Dec 15.
Under a dark and cloudless sky and just after midnight of its peak activity, meteors or “falling stars” can be seen at an average rate of forty (40) meteors per hour.
Now, how do you make sure you don’t miss this nature show? Well, PAGASA pointed out that the meteor shower will appear to radiate from the constellation of Gemini, as shown in charts below.
The constellation of Gemini, the Twin, is easy to spot through its two bright stars Castor and Pollux, which are just to the left of constellations Orion and Auriga.
PAGASA explained that there’s a big difference between the Geminids and other meteor showers. The Geminids meteors do not originate from a comet, they come from an asteroid (3200 Phaethon). Meteors from this shower are very rocky and gritty and slightly easier to see compared to the other showers.
Photos: Boy’s Life (lead) and PAGASA (charts)
