Every year in December, the Geminids come to brighten the eyes of those who love to contemplate the night sky. This year, this shower of shooting stars will be seen from December 4 to 17 with its peak on the night of December 13 to 14.
stars (and moon) in your eyes
Unfortunately, this critical moment when the shooting stars will be the most (up to 150 per hour) should not be the most suitable. It is also on this night that the moon will be full. Its light (actually that of the Sun from which it reflects) can therefore hinder observation, which may have been easier on previous nights despite the low density of celestial objects.
Still, if you manage to settle in an area without too much man-made light pollution, and the weather keeps the skies clear, the results should be pretty admirable.
Origin of the Geminids
The Geminid shooting stars, whose name comes from the fact that you can see the constellation Gemini above the horizon, move at a “slow” speed of 35 kilometers per second. enough to make them easy to observe, especially since this meteor shower is known for its strong brightness, even its colors.
It’s actually dust from the tail of asteroid 3200 Phaeton, which orbits the Sun in just over a year, which explains its regular appearance above our heads.
So get your deckchairs, your warm clothes and your drinks ready, because just before Christmas promises to be a beautiful spectacle!