by Puviarasan | Nov 25, 2020

2019 was a disappointing year for stargazing enthusiasts, when two of the major meteor showers were intervened by moonlight. But the tough year 2020 is showing a lot of promises. Because the father of all meteor showers, the Geminid Meteor shower is happening on December night with the new moon. Which means it is going to be pitch dark, which also means we will have a lot of fun by watching nature’s greatest live show.

Okay, let’s get to basics. What is a meteor shower? 

Meteor is a space rock that brushes earth’s atmosphere. The air gives them a drag and resistance. As a result, we see them as Shooting Stars in the sky. There are many meteor showers throughout the year. In this blog we will specifically talk about The Geminid Meteor shower and how to view them from wherever you are. The Geminid occurs every year between Dec 4 to 16 and it will be on peak during Dec 13-14. By peak, it means that the maximum number of meteors can be seen during those days. Most meteors fall during these peak hours. Let’s hope clouds are in our favour at Pondicherry.

Why should you see them?

In 2020, we can have even more spectacular meteor showers because of the new moon that graces on Dec 14 with an extra dark night we will be able to see meteors & stars even better. On  a personal note, my first meteor shower experience a few years back opened my window to real wonders of this universe and nature. Since then no looking back. It changed how I view the world.

This famous engraving of the 1833 Leonid meteor shower was produced for the Adventist book Bible Readings for the Home Circle by Adolf Vollmy. In that famous shower, hundreds of thousands of meteors per hour were seen! It was the first recorded meteor storm of modern times. Source: earthsky.org

How to see them?

We can see  them in naked eyes. But a place unpolluted by lights will give us the best experience. Remember, binoculars don’t work for meteor showers. 

Okay, how do I get to see it?

Most of you reading this blog might be staying in an urban or semi urban which are already polluted by lights. If you happen to live in a village that would be the best place to view such meteors showers.

Outdoor Being will be organizing a short overnight trip to a nearby village which is less polluted by lights to view and experience this nature’s greatest show. Click here to know more about the trip.