For the people who missed the supermoon last November, another astronomical treat is headed our way. The Geminid meteor shower is reported to coincide with this year's third and last supermoon. Both events are scheduled to happen on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14 this year.
Last month, the world was captivated by the so called closest supermoon to have appeared in the sky. Territories with clear weather enjoyed the spectacle, but some areas with cloudy and intermittent showers unfortunately missed the event. It was reported to be the closest encounter with our satellite since Jan. 26, 1948. Nature World News reports that this month's sky will also host the Geminid meteor shower.
Due to the third supermoon, experts predict it will somehow make the Geminid meteor shower a little dimmer than usual. The meteors are described to be prolific, reliable and bright. The falling rocks also reportedly leave noticeable trails in the night sky. The meteor shower supposedly showcase up to 120 meteors every hour, but because of the light from the supermoon, observers might likely see only 40 falling trails per hour.
During the Geminid meteor shower, people in the Northern Hemisphere should begin to see them after sunset. Those who are in the Southern Hemisphere can witness the light show just after midnight. Chris Fenwick, a Longo Planetarium astronomer, advises potential sky watchers to look at the opposite side of the sky, preferably away from the supermoon. He also suggests that trees can be used to shade the moonlight and enhance the meteor shower's brightness.
This month's supermoon will also rise from Eastern portion of the sky. Moreover, the Geminid meteor shower is known as the only meteor shower caused by an asteroid. Most other showers are made by comets orbiting the sun. The Geminids were created from the 3200 Phaeton asteroid. They are a debris trail left by the rock as it swings closely around the sun. The earth passes through the trail, which burns up the rocks as they enter our atmosphere.
