[cfgeeks] [Fwd: [MeteorShowers] Geminids 2006]

[Kevin P. Inscoe]

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- -------- Original Message --------
Subject: [MeteorShowers] Geminids 2006
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 01:52:56 -0000
From: starwanderer.geo <starwanderer.geo at yahoo.com>
Reply-To: MeteorShowers-owner at yahoogroups.com
To: MeteorShowers at yahoogroups.com

The annual Geminid meteor shower will peak on the night of December
13th/14th. This shower is often one of the better showers since as
many as 100 meteors per hour may be seen. While this certainly
doesn't rival the Leonids in its best years, this is still a very
high rate for a regular meteor shower. This is an unusual shower in
that the source of the shower is not believed to be a comet, but
rather from an object known as 3200 Phaethon. This object is
currently classified as an asteroid, but some scientists believe that
it might be an extinct comet with a thick crust of interplanetary
dust.

Another thing that makes the Geminids unusual is that one doesn't
have to wait until after midnight to catch this shower. The radiant
rises early and some meteors can be seen around 10:00 PM in your
local time zone, but the best view will still be after midnight local
time. This shower also boasts a broad maximum, lasting nearly one
whole day, so no matter where you live, you stand a decent chance of
catching sight of some Geminids. The actual peak will occur around
10:45 UTC on the 14th (5:45 AM EST, 4:45 CST, 3:45 MST, 2:45 PST).
The 33% illuminated Moon will wise in the very early morning hours,
but will offer on minor interference for the Geminids this year.

To view the Geminids, generally view toward the east starting around
10pm, but remember Geminids can, and will, appear anywhere in your
sky. By 2am, the radiant is very high in the sky and will move on to
the western sky by daybreak. Find something comfortable to sit or lie
upon in an area away from skyglow of urban areas if possible, as you
will see many more meteors from a dark sky than you will from a light
polluted urban sky. Don't forget to dress appropriately and bring
along some warm beverages if you live in a cold weather area.

Here's hoping you have clear, dark skies,

John



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- --
Kevin P. Inscoe                       Amateur Radio Call Sign: KE3VIN
Deltona, FL 32738                                28.9497N by 81.1952W
kevin [at] inscoe [dot] org                    http://kevininscoe.com
GPG 0x61288D53












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