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Geminids

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Geminids 2012 May Coincide with a Brand New Meteor Shower Dec. 13

NASA scientist says two debris streams may cross after sunset Thursday.

There are plenty of meteor showers in the late fall – we’ve seen the Orionids in October, and the Taurids and Leonids in November. If you got outside at the right time, and the weather was nice, maybe you saw a few “shooting stars.” Tonight, however, may be different. That’s because we may be treated to not one, but two meteor showers at the same time, according to NASA. In addition to the peak of the Geminid shower, there may be a brand new meteor shower debuting after sunset tonight, Dec. 13. The new, as-yet-to-be-named shower is courtesy of Comet Wirtanen, discovered in 1948, according to Bill Cooke, from NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office.   As for the source of the Geminids, it’s somewhat of a mystery, Cooke said on NASA’s website. “…

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Geminid Meteor Shower to Peak Dec. 13

The Geminid meteor shower, reportedly the most intense meteor shower of the year, is expected to peak around 2 a.m. Dec. 13

Skies should cooperate this week as the Geminid meteor shower peaks Dec. 13.  The week of Dec. 10-16 is the window for Geminid-watching, but from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 and Friday, Dec. 14 is the time it is expected to peak, according to NASA. Earthsky.org reports the Geminids peak might be around 2 a.m. on Dec. 13 and 14, when the shower’s radiant point is highest in the sky as seen around the world. "With no moon to ruin the show, 2012 presents a most favorable year for watching the grand finale of the meteor showers," Earthsky reports. "Best viewing of the Geminids will probably be from about 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. on December 14." The Geminid Meteor Shower is the last shooting star cluster before New Year's, expected to peak in…

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