By Only In Your State
End the year with a bang by catching the Geminid meteor shower! Not only is it the final meteor shower of 2022, but it’s one of the most spectacular of all meteor showers because of its reliability. Luckily, it will be visible from Mississippi – no special equipment required.
A year-end favorite for stargazers, the Geminid meteor shower occurs in December every year. It typically peaks during mid-December, and 2022 is no different.
This year, the Geminids will peak on the nights of December 13th and 14th.
Of all the celestial events that take place throughout the year, the Geminid meteor shower is not to be missed. It’s touted as one of the “best and most reliable” annual meteor showers.
Fun fact: The Geminids were first recorded in 1833, after being spotted by passengers on a Mississippi riverboat.
So, what makes the Geminids so special? Well, for starters they're stunning! Like fireballs streaking across the sky, Geminids are bold, white, and bright.
The slow-moving, long-lasting meteors, which are sometimes referred to as “earth grazers,” are easy to spot with the naked eye.
Geminids aren’t just easy on the eyes. They’re abundant, too.
Stargazers can expect to see anywhere between 50 and 150 meteors per hour! The number of meteors visible depends on several factors, including the brightness of the moon.
Though the Geminids can be seen without any special equipment, there are a few ways to improve your view. First, you’ve got to pick the perfect viewing spot.
What makes a perfect viewing spot? The darker, the better. Choose a place free of light pollution. Also, head to your viewing location at least 30 minutes before the meteor shower begins, giving your eyes time to adjust.
Second, timing is everything.
The Geminid meteor shower starts around 9 p.m. and lasts into the early morning hours. However, for the best views, you should check out the Geminids at 2 a.m., which is when they peak.
Last, you’ve got to look in the right place.
Geminids radiate from the constellation Gemini, but you actually don’t want to look directly at the constellation during the meteor shower. Geminids will be visible across the night sky. Plus, those viewed near the radiant typically have shorter trains, which, in turn, makes them more difficult to spot.
To learn more about the Geminid meteor shower, check out the EarthSky website.
So, what do you think? Do you plan on watching the Geminids this year? Have you checked them out in the past? If so, what’d you think? Tell us!
Celestial events sure are stunning. The only issue is that they only come around every so often. Don’t worry, though. There are lots of beautiful places in Mississippi that you can explore all year long.
