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Stargazers must keep their eyes open to have a chance to see 100 shooting stars In an hour this weekend.
geminid meteor shower It is estimated to be visible till December 20 but it will make the biggest display All night from Saturday to Sunday.
meteor Are visible all over the worldBut those living in the Northern Hemisphere will get the best exposure.
If the weather permits, astronomers say Britain could be treated to a spectacular sight.
“You can probably expect to see up to 100 meteor Dr. Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society, said, “An hour, so it could be one or two per minute, which would be a spectacular sight – it is one of the heaviest showers of the year.”
What is the Geminids meteor shower?
Meteors are pieces of debris that, when entering the Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 40 miles per second, vaporize and create bright streaks of light.
geminid meteor shower It is bright, loud and multicolored. When the streaks burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere they are green in color instead of being colorless or white like other meteors. This is due to their chemical composition – oxygen, magnesium and nickel usually produce green color.
This shower was first observed in 1862 and is believed to become more intense every year.
It is known to produce more than 120 meteors per hour at its peak – but light pollution and cloud coverage may mean not all are visible.
How do I view it?
geminids These are best seen with the naked eye, so you don’t need binoculars or a telescope to get a glimpse.
“The great thing about meteor showers, including the Geminids, is that the naked eye is the best way to see them,” Dr Massey said.
“If you get a telescope or a pair of binoculars, you’re automatically limiting your view of the sky, and with a meteor shower what you want is the widest possible view — you want to lie down, looking at the wide panel of stars, and see the meteors,” he said.
Dr. Massey explained that stargazers should keep an eye out for a short streak of light that lasts about a second.
“It’s usually so fast that it’s impossible to pinpoint who you’re with, so you have to keep your eyes up,” he said.
What will the weather be like?
Unfortunately, the weather may limit meteor viewing this weekend, with rain and wind and clouds forecast throughout the weekend.
But if there is a break in gloomy weather, avoiding cities and towns will give viewers the best chance of seeing the shooting star.
“The best view is if you’re away from sources of light pollution, try and stay away from direct light at least in towns and cities, ideally in rural areas. Obviously you also need clear skies – if there are clouds you won’t see anything,” Dr Massey said.