The Geminid meteor shower is predicted to peak around 5:00 UT, 14th December, 2009. The time will favour observers in Western Europe and North America.
The annual Geminid meteor shower, which will reach its maximum on the night of Dec. 13-14, usually offers the best show of the year, outperforming even the Perseid shower of August. This year, the Geminids will peak three days after new moon, so viewing conditions should be favourable. In a clear sky, observers may see more than 100 meteors per hour. Read more
ZHRmax = 10 based on 20 Geminids in 16 data intervals, assuming fixed population index r = 2.0 and zenith correction 1/sin(hR).
Time (UT)
Solarlon
nINT
nGEM
ZHR
2008-12-03 08:37
251.436
3
2
2
±1
2008-12-06 08:09
254.460
2
1
3
±2
2008-12-08 03:08
256.279
7
5
4
±2
2008-12-09 12:24
257.687
4
12
10
±3
For each estimation interval: time is the middle of the interval, nINT is the number of observing periods and nGEM is the number of Geminids involved. ZHR = (1 + sum nGEM) / sum(Teff/C) where Teff is the effective observing time and C is the total correction for limiting magnitude, clouds and zenith correction. The solar longitudes refer to equinox J2000.0.
During December the 'other' good annual meteor shower reaches its peak near midnight on December 13. This year the light from the near full Moon will drown out all but the brightest meteors. However all is not lost because while the peak is on Dec. 13-14 the actual meteor shower event lasts nearly two weeks, from Dec. 6 to Dec. 19. The meteors will radiate outward in all directions from the 'radiant' which is located quite close to the star Castor. The Gemini Twins rise at about 7 p.m. local time and so the radiant for the meteor shower may be observed throughout the night. The constellation will still be high above the southwestern horizon at the peak time.
Astronomy enthusiasts in the country can watch out for the Geminid meteor shower this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. According to Pagasa, Geminid is one of the most spectacular annual showers as it sometimes exceeds 100 meteors per hour.