The usually reliable and prolific Geminid meteor shower reaches its peak tonight. In the early hours of 14 December, one hundred or more meteors are expected to flash across the sky. Visibility this year is hampered by a waxing gibbous moon that is just four days away from being full. Yet, despite the moonlight, bright meteors should still be visible to the patient watcher.
From the UK, the moon sets around 0230 GMT, which is just in time for the expected peak of meteor shower activity. The chart shows the view looking high into the south western sky at 0300 GMT. The Geminids appear to radiate from a point close to the star Castor, which is next to Pollux in the constellation of Gemini, the twins.
To stand the best chance of seeing meteors, look slightly away from the radiant and keep an eye open for their colour. While most will burn white, some shine yellow, red, green or blue. The shower is special because it originates from an asteroid rather than a comet. Most meteors are dust grains that were once part of a comet’s tail but the Geminids come from asteroid 3200 Phaethon. The meteor shower is also visible from the southern hemisphere.
