2022/12/07 10:36 Weather news
This year, the activity is expected to peak around 22:00 on Wednesday, December 14th.
40-45 flow per hour
* Mother planet Phaethon (asteroid)
The maximum time is predicted to be around 22:00 on the 14th (Wednesday), and the appearance peak will be reached at night. On this day, the moon rises from the horizon before 22:00, so the recommended time for observation is from 21:00 to 24:00, before the moon rises high.
According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the number of meteors observed in dark skies is expected to be 40 to 45 per hour at peak hours.
In addition, from the night of the 13th (Tuesday) to the dawn of the 14th (Wednesday), the day before the peak, about 15 meteors can be seen per hour in dark places, so there will be more chances to observe them the day before the peak.
Shooting stars fly all over the sky, so please enjoy meteor observation by gazing at the entire sky.
What are the characteristics of the Geminid meteor shower?
Many meteors appear stably at the same time every year. It is calculated that one shooting star can be seen every 1 to 2 minutes on the night of the maximum day.
(2) Observable almost all night
Shooting stars belonging to meteor showers flow from a single point on the celestial sphere called the radiant point. As the name suggests, the Geminid meteor shower has its radiant point in the constellation Gemini, which reaches its peak in winter, so the radiant point rises to the ground early in the evening. Therefore, it is possible to observe the shooting stars of the Geminid meteor shower almost all night during the active period.
(3) The number of meteors drops sharply after the maximum day
The Geminid meteor shower is characterized by a sudden drop in activity after a short period of peak activity.
What is the weather like on that day?
The areas on the Pacific side of eastern Japan and western Japan are expected to have few clouds, clear skies, and favorable conditions for meteor observation. However, it will be cold, so please enjoy stargazing with proper protection against the cold.
On the other hand, meteor observations are likely to be difficult in northern Japan and areas along the Sea of Japan, as it tends to snow.