Fireballs in the Sky - 

Geminids Meteor Shower on Dec 14th, 2011

Star gazers can soon witness another sky theatre spectacle in the mesmerizing night skies - the Geminids Meteor Shower, peaking on 13th/14th Dec. This is one of the best meteor showers of the year and never disappoints observers. Unfortunately the peak of the shower this year falls 3 days after the Full Moon and that will hamper the observations. Geminids peak on 14th December 2011 at 16:35 UT or 10:05 IST

The source of the Geminids shower is asteroid 3200 Phaethon. There's a cloud of dust trailing the asteroid and the Earth plows through it every year in mid-December. Bits of dust traveling  at 80,000 mph hit our atmosphere and turn into glowing meteors.The Geminids got its name because its radiant position, from which it appears to originate, lies in the constellation Gemini.


Observe and Photograph the Geminids:
SPACE has the following handouts and suggestions to ensure that each one of you can go out and observe this wonderful spectacle (Though Moon will be a deterrent) .

SPACE suggests that students, amateur astronomers and the public go out on Dec 14th morning to a dark site away from lights and observe this nightsky spectacle. Details about timing and observing suggestions can be found listed below.

Meteor Showers provide a wonderful photographic opportunity. Another post in this blog  provides details on techniques and suggestions by SPACE to employ for meteor photography.



Record and Report:
We would like all observers to become Citizen Scientists and record their results and report it to IMO (International Meteor Organization). Details can be found in the attachment, as well as on the IMO website, listed below. Each citizen scientist who reports their observations will have the privilege to have their names and results listed on the IMO website.

SPACE has been observing Geminids for past few years and reported successfully to IMO. This can be found on the blog listed below.


Geminids Details:
Maxima - 14th December 2011 at 16:35 UT or 10:05 IST
ZHR (Zenith Hourly Rate) - around 120.
The best time to watch the activity near the peak in India is on 13th December night/early morning on 14th.

Relevant Websites:
SPACE astrophotography of Geminids:
https://picasaweb.google.com/109156850798846600382/GEMINIDS2010

https://picasaweb.google.com/109156850798846600382/Geminids2009


IMO website reporting location:
http://www.imo.net/visual/major/observation

Enjoy the last meteor shower of the Year.