Geminid meteor shower and visible asteroids in December 2012

If you’re planning to skywatch this December, this video will take you through some of the notable objects in the sky this month, including a meteor shower, large asteroids in the asteroid belt, and an array of constellations.

Video courtesy of Space.com

Beginning in early December, the Geminid meteor shower grows in intensity to finally reach its zenith on the night of December 13 and continue overnight into the early morning hours. The predicted peak is just after midnight on December 14, 2012.

ε-Geminids (EGE)

Active: October 14—27; Maximum: October 18 (λ⊙ = 205°); ZHR = 3; Radiant: α = 102°, δ = +27°;  V∞ = 70 km/s; r = 3.0; TFC: α = 90°, δ = +20° and α = 125°, δ = +20° (β > 20° S).

Geminids 2012 Sky map (Credit: International Meteor Organization)

 

Featured image credit: Astronomy Picture of the Day/Meteorwatch