Geminid Meteor Shower

The best meteor shower of 2009 is predicted for this weekend. However, given the rainy forecast for the Eastern Shore, it may be tough to see.


The Geminid shower has been getting better each year since it was noticed shortly before the Civil War. The shower comes from an object called 3200 Phaethon, which is believed to be either an asteroid or the remains of a comet leaving a trail of debris. Jupiter's gravity has been steadily pulling the debris closer to Earth's orbit each year, creating brighter meteors.

The Geminid meteor shower will peak near midnight Sunday and into Monday morning, when more than 140 meteors an hour are expected. Meteors should be visible for a couple of days before and after the peak, NASA says.

For the best viewing, find a dark-sky location. If you look toward the constellation Gemini in the east, meteors with short tails should be visible.If you look away from Gemini, long-tailed meteors should be visible.


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