Thursday, December 6, 2012
The most reliable meteor shower of the year, the Geminids, is on its way – with no moon to obscure the show.
The Geminid meteor shower 2012, the final major meteor shower of every year and likely to be the best, peaks overnight Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, and you may be able to see a great show on either side of those dates. If you liked the Perseids meteor shower 2012 in August, you should love this show. NASA reports that the Geminids are a relatively young meteor shower, with the first sitings occurring in the 1830s with rates of about 20 per hour. Over the decades the rates have increased, regularly spawning between 80 and 120 per hour at its peak on a clear evening. How spectacular is it? Just take a look at this video of the Geminid meteor shower. You can also look at some spectacular photos of the Geminids. Earthsky.org reports the Geminids peak …
Thursday, November 15, 2012
The Leonid meteor shower will peak on Nov. 17 and Nov. 20.
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Thursday, November 15, 2012
Keep your eyes on the sky during the pre-dawn hours of Nov. 17-20, because that's when the famous Leonid meteor shower is expected to peak. These meteors are fast (about 40 miles per second) and can leave trails of smoke, according to Astronomy.com. They will appear to radiate from the constellation Leo the Lion and can vary in color. "Many Leonids are also bright. Usually, the meteors are white or bluish-white, but in recent years some observers reported yellow-pink and copper-colored ones," according to Astronomy.com. Among the best spots to look for the meteor shower are large, open spaces such as the fields near The Glen, Community Park West, Gallery Park or fields near schools. Here's one of the 10 coolest things to know about the …
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Look to the skies for some stunning light displays this November and December.
As you hang holiday lights and light holiday candles, cast your gaze upon the universe's natural fireworks, as well. A thin crescent moon in 2012 will provide for dark nights and early morning light to enhance this year's North Taurid meteor shower display that peaks early Monday, Nov. 12, but some stragglers will appear for several more days, according to EarthSky.org. To see the showers, look for the moon and Venus in the east. Space.com reports the best time to see the Taurid meteors, or, "Halloween fireballs," started Nov. 5 and peaks on Monday, as the moon diminishes in brightness each night. Ten to 15 yellow-orange meteors may appear per hour each night and appear to move very slowly, according to Space.com. Astronomers anticipate …
