Phoenicids Meteor Shower | 2nd December

The Phoenicids meteors are a minor meteor shower and were first observed in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Indian Ocean in December 1956. The shower’s radiant point in the Phoenix constellation is high on the south west horizon, so it will be if there are any, the meteors will be easy for you to see.

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

It could be! The Phoenicids meteor shower is a little unpredictable. When this shower was first observed in 1956, there were about 100 meteors per hour.

It hasn’t been so spectacular since then, but the Phoenicids meteors are best seen from the southern hemisphere, so it’s always worth a look. The Moon won’t interfere with your mid-evening stargazing session on 2 December, when the Phoenicid meteor shower peaks. 

When and where do I look for the Phoenicids meteors?

The Phoenicid meteor shower lasts from 28 November to 9 December and peaks with the shower’s best viewing from 9pm until midnight on 2 December. Look above the south western horizon towards the constellation of Phoenix. 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 and when the night sky is dark 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 Phoenicid 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 Phoenicid Meteor Shower, the meteors come from the direction of the Phoenix 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.