STARGAZERS all over Salford will be observing the sky tonight hoping to catch a glimpse of the Geminid Meteorite Shower reaching its peak of visibility.
The Geminids are an annual event that astronomers and meteorologists look forward to all year around as the displays are some of the busiest on the cosmic calendar.
Free sky show tonight. Geminid Meteor Shower expected to be dazzling with waning moon, peaks after midnight, up to 120 an hour. @wsbradio
— Scott Slade (@WSBSlade) December 13, 2017
Frank Rourke, co-founder of the Salford Astronomical Society, explained what is going on above the Earth that creates the annual spectacular sight:
“The peak of the Geminids will happen about half past 6 in the morning. They usually occur between the 13th and the 20th of December, when the asteroid 3200 Phaethon gets close to the earth. Debris streams off this asteroid and is left behind in a trail, and as the earth passes through this dust trail we see what causes the occurrence of the meteorite shower.
“You don’t need a telescope, just sit back and watch the show.”
–John Rourke
“The small particles, around the size of a grain of sand, enter the earth’s atmosphere and as they heat up, they vaporize, which causes the bright lights that you can see in the sky.
“If it’s nice and clear, the shower should be visible in Salford tonight. Go out around midnight and get adapted to the dark, wrap up nice and warm with a flask of coffee. You don’t need a telescope, just sit back and watch the show.”
Mr. Rourke also explained the origins of the astronomical event: “They call them Geminids because if you follow the streak from where the debris comes from, it should appear to emanate from around Pollux and Castor, the alpha and beta stars in the Gemini constellation.”
With heavy rain set for the peak meteorite times, Salford will most likely be in for a more typical type of shower instead tonight.
Geminid Meteor Shower tonight!
Hoping that it won't be as cloudy or rainy later at 2AM! pic.twitter.com/q93yDQbVNo
— SkeleJun (@asmaajun) December 13, 2017
If the weather does continue to block the event, there is still hope for stargazing and shooting star glimpsing over the Christmas period in the form of the Ursids.
This weather forecast is generated by the Met Office Weather Widget
Mr Rourke said: “The Ursids will take place around 20th December onward, but they’re not quite as bright as the Geminids and there are not quite as many of them as the zenith per hour is less, so it’s classed as more of a phenomenon.”
Ursids peak around 22nd-23rd December, and hail from the constellation Ursa Minor.
To get involved in astronomy, find out more at Salford Astronomical Society’s website.
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