It’s that time of the year again when we gaze at the night sky and look for a spectacle that comes at this time of the year. No, Virginia, not Santa Claus. It’s too early for him. Besides, what I’m referring to is something more spectacular that Santa Claus and his reindeer streaking through the night sky. This is something not associated with Christmas, and it’s something real!

It’s the Geminids meteor shower 2009. The 2009 Geminids meteor shower is due this week and the Geminids meteor shower (tonight) this year is more intense than before according to
scientists. For a brief backgrounder, here’s something from Wikipedia: “The Geminids are a meteor shower caused by an object named 3200 Phaethon, which is thought to be an extinct comet. The meteors from this shower can be seen in mid-December and usually peak around 12–14 of the month. The Geminid shower is thought to be intensifying every year and recent showers have seen 120–160 meteors per hour under optimal conditions. The Geminids were first observed only 150 years ago, much more recently than other showers such as the Perseids and Leonids.”

Meteor Shower tips 2009: How to watch the Geminids meteor shower 2009? Where to watch 2009 Geminids meteor shower? Astronomers believe the Geminids are increasing in intensity every year, yielding 120-160 meteors per hour during the shower. Astronomy magazine expects great conditions for viewing “100 ’shooting stars’ per hour.” People in China and Indonesia (and around the Southeast Asian region) have the orchestra seats for this year’s Geminid show, and might be able to see more than “300 meteors per hour.” Wow!

No need for a telescope to see the streaks shooting across the heavens. For optimal viewing, NASA pinpoints 12:10 a.m. EST/9:10 p.m. PST, and suggests going somewhere relatively dark, away from the city lights. A farm or the countryside are the best areas. For in the urnan areas, the suburbs will do. Keep your eyes roaming all areas of the sky to spot a meteor. Good luck!

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