Geminids meteor shower will reach peak activity on the night of December 13-14

The Geminid starfall, which belongs to the most powerful meteor showers of the year, will reach its maximum activity on Wednesday night. Astronomers expect up to 150 "shooting stars" per hour, but the Moon will interfere with observations, the press service of the Moscow Planetarium told TASS on Tuesday.

"Geminids are one of the most powerful annual meteor showers, which operates from December 4 to December 17 with peak activity on the night of December 13 to 14. According to the forecasts of the International Meteor Organization, up to 150 meteors per hour are expected," the planetarium noted.

The meteor departure area (radiant) will be located near the star Castor in the constellation Gemini. It will rise above the horizon at about two o'clock in the morning, so it is better to start observing after midnight. In northern latitudes, the radiant will be above the horizon in the early evening.

Since the stream will "catch up" with the Earth, and not move towards it, the speed of meteors will be low - about 35 km / s. White and bright meteors can fall very often, but this year moonlight will interfere with observations.

"The conditions for observing Geminids in 2022 are not favorable. The moon is close to the last quarter (12/16/2022) and will interfere with the observation of meteors," the planetarium clarified.

Unlike most other meteor showers, the progenitor of the Geminids is not a comet, but an object discovered in 1983 and named 3200 Phaethon (3200 Phaethon). Astronomers refer it to intermediate objects, which are a cross between asteroids and comets.