by The annual Geminid meteor shower is currently active and is expected to be most visible this weekend, December 14th and 15th.
The Geminid shower’s meteors are bright, fast and multicolored, mostly white, some yellow and some green, red and blue. These colors are caused in part by the presence of trace amounts of metals such as sodium and calcium, the same effect used to color fireworks.
The shower is known to produce over 150 meteors per hour at its peak, although light pollution and other factors mean the visible number is actually far lower.
READ MORE: The Greater Manchester area has been named one of the best stargazing locations in England in the run-up to the Geminid meteor shower
The Geminid meteor shower gets its name because the meteors appear to radiate from near the bright star Castor in the constellation Gemini.
Meteors are pieces of debris that enter our planet’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per second, where they vaporize and cause the streaks of light we call meteors. The beautiful streaks we see in the night sky can actually be caused by particles as small as a grain of sand.
How to watch the Geminid meteor shower
The Geminid meteor shower is one of the most active showers of the year and in some years the strongest. It’s the only major shower that shows good activity before midnight, so perfect for those who don’t want to stay up all night.
This year the maximum will be reached on December 14th during the full moon, so visibility conditions will not be favorable.
Searching for meteorites can be a bit of a waiting game, so it’s best to bring a comfortable chair to sit on and wrap up warm as you could be outside for a while. They can be seen with the naked eye, eliminating the need for binoculars or a telescope. However, you need to give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness.
It’s best not to look directly at one spot, as this can limit the number of meteors you see. Instead, try looking to the side in a dark area of the sky and you’re more likely to spot some meteors.
Where is the best place to watch the Geminid meteor shower?
You want to find a safe location away from streetlights and other sources of light pollution. The meteors can be seen in all parts of the sky, so it’s ideal to get to a wide, open place where you can scan the night sky with your eyes.
Outdoor experts millet have analyzed factors such as light pollution and air quality index values to identify the best areas in England for stargazing:
1. Barnsley
2. Northampton
3.York
4.Brighton
5. Bournemouth
6. Rochdale
7.Oxford
8.Swindon
9. Peterborough
10. Havering
