![]() Recently, NASA scientists shared findings that suggest the difference between an asteroid and a comet might be less clear than we realized, with fizzing sodium on Phaethon playing the same role as vaporizing ice on comets.Īnd whether you catch a glimpse of Comet Leonard, or meteors from Asteroid Phaethon, both are reminders of the deep connections between Earth and the rest of the solar system that we discover because we look outward, and we explore. Now while most annual meteor showers are caused by Earth passing through trails of dust-sized particles of comet debris, the Geminids are one of the few meteor showers that are caused by debris from an asteroid that crosses Earth's orbit – in this case, one called Phaethon. The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini, which you'll find high in the west. This year's shower is best observed after the Moon sets on the morning of Dec. Sky chart showing the region of the sky from which the Geminid meteors appear to radiate. ![]() If you can't get outside or don't have clear, dark skies, you can watch NASA's live stream of the Geminid meteor shower. wherever you're located, leaving a couple of hours for meteor watching before dawn. ![]() However, that bright Moon will set somewhere around 2 a.m. This year, the Moon will be almost 80% full at the peak of the Geminids, which isn't ideal. Apart from the weather, the phase of the Moon is usually the main factor in whether a meteor shower will have good viewing any given year. This year's meteor shower peaks overnight on December 13th and 14th. 14th, for just a little while after the Sun sets – as it begins its long haul outward from the Sun again, progressively fading in brightness.įinally, the Geminid meteors are a highlight of December skies each year. It then switches over to being an evening object after around Dec. It approaches the horizon right around the time of its closest approach to Earth, meaning it'll likely be brighter but more challenging to observe. ![]() In the first couple of weeks of December, Comet Leonard can be found in the east before sunrise, passing between Arcturus and the handle of the Big Dipper. There's a chance it could be bright enough to see with the unaided eye, but again, with comets, you really never know. Comet Leonard is predicted to peak at a brightness that will probably require binoculars to spot it. Now, comets are notoriously difficult to predict in terms of brightness and visibility. 3, 2022 will take it within 56 million miles (90 million kilometers) of the Sun, slightly more than half Earth’s distance. Binoculars may be required to observe the comet. Comet Leonard was discovered in January 2021 by Gregory Leonard, who spotted it in images taken from the Mt. Sky chart showing the position of Comet Leonard in the east about 2 hours before sunrise, Dec. ![]()
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