Meteor showers to be observed in December — PAGASA

BY LIZST TORRES ABELLO

Dec 7, 2023 01:46 PM

  

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Geminid and Ursid meteor showers will light up the December skies, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its monthly astronomical diary.

PAGASA said the Geminid meteor shower will be active from Dec. 4 to 17, with the peak occurring on Dec. 15.

The view of the northwestern sky during the peak of Geminids on 15 December at 3 a.m. when the shower radiant is already up in the sky and represented by the green solid circle (PAGASA)

The Geminids may produce up to 150 meteors per hour during its peak activity, which will occur at 3 a.m. on Dec. 15. 

"The meteor shower will reach its peak near the time of the new moon, presenting minimal interference from moonlight," PAGASA said.

It said when the constalletion, Gemini or the "twins" rises above the eastern horizon, Geminids will be visible at 7:13 p.m.

"It most likely to put on spectacular displays at around 2 a.m. when its radiant point is highest in the sky," PAGASA added.

Meanwhile, the Ursid meteor shower will be active from Dec. 17 to 26, with the peak occurring on Dec 23.

The view of the northern sky after the peak of Ursid on 23 December at 05:00 a.m. when the shower’s radiant is already up in the sky and represented by the green solid circle. (PAGASA)