Geminid Meteor Shower | 14th-15th December

The Geminid meteor shower is generated from asteroid 3200 Phaethon and it’s one of the most active and best meteor showers to see.

Since NASA’s Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) discovered the asteroid on 11 October 1983,  Phaethon has gone around the sun nearly 24 times. Phaethon is 5.1kms across and is one of the largest near-Earth asteroids classified as “potentially hazardous” by NASA. Astronomers have closely monitored this asteroid, and conclude there is no high threat level in the foreseeable future.

Take a virtual tour to see how the Geminids Meteor Shower is generated with this terrific 3D interactive model.

Is it worth me getting out of bed for the Geminids meteor shower?

Yes, it is! It’s a perfect year for seeing the Geminids meteors. The Moon will have set, so it won’t interfere with your viewing of the meteor shower at all. What a wonderful treat!

When and where do I look for the Geminids meteors?

The Geminid meteor shower lasts from 4th to 17th December, with the shower’s peak from from 11pm on 14 December. Your best viewing is from the north east and north about 20-45 degrees above the horizon. Keep your eye out for Jupiter, which rises in the east just after 11pm. Nights either side of the meteor shower’s peak are worth trying as well.

At its best, and under ideal conditions, you might see as many as 120 Geminids meteors per hour. Seen from Perth, the radiant is about 25 degrees above the horizon, and you can hope to see about 50 shooting stars per hour. The further north you are in WA, it’s possible to see more meteors per hour as the radiant point appears higher in the night sky.

 The predicted hourly rate of meteors you’ll see at its peak presumes you’re viewing them in a perfectly dark sky and that the meteor shower is directly overhead, so your numbers might vary. But keep your fingers crossed for a spectacular show.

Use the above image as your guide. Astronomical images provided by SkySafari, a Simulation Curriculum Company, All rights reserved www.simulationcurriculum.com.

What is a meteor shower?

A meteor (commonly called a “shooting star”) is an unexpected, brief streak of light you might see in the night sky. The streak of light is caused by space debris, which can be as tiny as a single grain of sand and travelling at speeds of up to 75km per second when it hits our atmosphere. When this debris burns up in Earth’s atmosphere, it causes a brief, bright streak of light in the sky, and it’s usually only visible for a few seconds.

A meteor shower is a celestial spectacle where large numbers of meteors, or “shooting stars”, streak across the night sky. These dazzling events occur when Earth passes through the debris trail left by a comet or other object that entered our Solar System and orbited the Sun.

Meteor showers are visible to the naked eye and offer you a mesmerising display of bright streaks of light. We think they add a touch of cosmic wonder to the night.

Where’s the best place for me to watch a meteor shower?

The best place to see a meteor shower is away from bright city lights, when the night sky is dark and with no moonlight. Bright moonlight and light pollution make it harder to see fainter meteors, however you may still be able to see the brighter ones.

Travel out to a dark sky location at one of WA’s Astrotourism Towns. If you’re an astrophotographer, it is an excellent opportunity to image meteors over some of WA’s iconic landscapes.

Do I need a telescope or binoculars to see the Geminid meteors?

You don’t need either a telescope or binoculars to see a meteor shower. Meteor showers make for a great time to gather with friends under the stars. Simply roll out your favourite picnic rug, pack the drinks and snacks, and start counting how many “shooting stars” you see!

Something interesting

Meteor showers are named after the constellation where the “shooting stars” appear to be coming from. In the case of the Geminid Meteor Shower, the meteors come from the direction of the Gemini constellation. If you have a handy smartphone app that helps you identify objects in the night sky, search for the constellation, and you’ll be looking in the right direction.

You might like to report a fireball!

Be a citizen scientist and report meteor sightings. If you happen to see a very bright meteor (often referred to as a “fireball”), the fireballs team based at WA’s Curtin University would love to know. Report your fireball sighting with the International Meteor Organization.

The International Meteor Organization is a great place to discover more about all things meteors, check out their Meteor Shower Calendar, and you can even become a member.