Mid-December heralds the arrival of the Geminids, a spectacular shower of shooting stars. Here is all the information to take advantage of it!
Did you know that December is one of the best times of the year to observe shooting stars? Every year at this time the Geminids take place, a particularly spectacular shower of shooting stars popular with astronomy enthusiasts. In 2024, it takes place between the 2nd and 21st of the month and peaks in intensity on the night of Friday December 13th to Saturday December 14th. During the night, up to 120 shooting stars per hour will streak across the sky: the opportunity to experience a unique moment and make many wishes! However, an unexpected guest could well come and disrupt the party: the Moon. Don’t panic, just take a few precautions to enjoy the show.
To put all the chances on your side, choose a location far from artificial lights where the horizon is clear. However, be careful of the Moon which will be your worst enemy during this night since it will be almost full. Its brightness could hamper observations and camouflage the less bright shooting stars. To limit its impact, you can position yourself to hide its brightness with a tree or even a building. You can also go out in the second part of the night, from 1 a.m. when the Moon has descended above the horizon. Its brightness should then become less annoying.
Unlike other showers of shooting stars, that of the Geminids is not caused by the passage of a comet in the Earth’s orbit but by that of an asteroid trailing behind it a tail of gas and dust. It is this dust which, as it passes through the atmosphere, heats up and disintegrates, causing luminous trails to appear in the sky: shooting stars. Named 3200 Phaethon, the asteroid responsible for this shower of shooting stars was discovered in 1982. It travels around the sun in one year, which allows it to regularly replenish the dust cloud and offers us this magical period every month. of December.
The Geminids are famous for being particularly bright and a characteristic yellowish white. This specificity is linked to the presence of sodium in the dust responsible for shooting stars. You may be able to observe green or white streaks which are caused by the magnesium and iron present in the particles. You understand, a unique show awaits you this Friday the 13th, don’t forget to dress warmly and be patient!