What is Geminid Meteor Shower 2018 and how to watch it from India?

Be it the fancy Google doodle or the ceaseless stream of Whatsapp messages, Geminid Meteor Shower has been grabbing our eye all through the day. So, delve further to know about this natural phenomenon and how do you watch it in India.

What is Geminid Meteor Shower?

Geminid Meteor Shower is an annual phenomenon that is caused due to the debris from the 3200 Phaethon asteroid. The meteor shower occurs when the Earth passes by the tail of the debris of 3200 Phaethon. Peaking around 13-14 December each year, the meteor shower tends to be noticeable during the early hours of 14 December. The 3200 Phaethon, which is the parent body of the Geminid meteor shower, takes about 1.43 years to orbit around the sun.

Radiant and travelling about 35 kmph, the Geminid Meteor Shower’s most radiant point tends to be around 2 am.

In India

While the Geminid meteor shower favours the Northern Hemisphere, it can be viewed from the Southern Hemisphere as well. Enthusiasts in India too will be able to watch the Geminid meteor shower in a clear, dark sky.

Given the relatively slower speeds of the meteors, viewers can expect to spot one or two meteors per minute. Also, no special would be needed to watch the radiant meteor shower dot the night sky.

To get the best experience of the spectacle, try to find an unpolluted place from where you can witness clear dark night sky.

Also, keep in mind to stay away from your smartphones as the occasion demands you to be mesmerised by this natural wonder.

When: 14 December

Time: 12 AM IST to 2 AM IST