2017 Geminids meteor shower
- Posted by OCastronomy
- On December 13, 2017
- 0 Comments
- 3200 Phaethon, asteroid, Geminids meteor shower, meteor shower, Northern Hemisphere, Orange County
2017 Geminids meteor shower
2017 Geminids meteor shower will peak between December 13 and 14 with conditions being less than fair with larger amounts of LP (light pollution) due to a Full Moon. The Geminids can be observed annually between December 4 and December 17, with peak activity should be around December 14. Most meteor showers are associated with comets but the Geminids shower is from the debris of an asteroid (3200 Phaethon) The shower owes its name to the constellation Gemini and the asteroid takes about 1.4 years to orbit around the Sun. Since the Moon is a Waning Crescent Moon will make viewing conditions good to see the meteors. OC Astronomy suggests for viewers in the Northern Hemisphere (Orange County) should try to view the Geminids after sunset December 13 and before sunrise December 14. It is not necessary to look in a particular direction to see a meteor shower, OC Astronomy suggests looking towards the south to view the Geminids.
Be sure to visit This Months Sky for more celestial events
Geminids meteor shower for Orange County (Night between December 12 and December 13) | ||
---|---|---|
Time | Azimuth/Direction | Altitude |
Tue 6:00 pm | 49° | 0.1° |
Tue 7:00 pm | 56° | 9.6° |
Tue 8:00 pm | 63° | 20.4° |
Tue 9:00 pm | 69° | 31.8° |
Tue 10:00 pm | 74° | 43.6° |
Tue 11:00 pm | 79° | 55.8° |
Wed 12:00 midnight | 84° | 68.1° |
Wed 1:00 am | 90° | 80.6° |
Wed 2:00 am | 261° | 86.8° |
Wed 3:00 am | 273° | 74.4° |
Wed 4:00 am | 278° | 61.9° |
Wed 5:00 am | 283° | 49.7° |
Wed 6:00 am | 288° | 37.7° |