Geminids Meteor Shower to Peak Thursday, Friday Nights over Chantilly
Where and when to look for the last major meteor shower of 2012, which will peak this Thursday and Friday, Dec. 13 and 14.
The Geminid meteor shower 2012, the final major meteor shower of the year, peaks overnight this Thursday and Friday. NASA reports that the Geminids are a relatively young meteor shower, with the first sightings occurring in the 1830s with rates of about "shooting stars" 20 per hour. Over the decades the rates have increased, regularly spawning between 80 and 120 per hour at its peak on a clear night. Earthsky.org reports the Geminids peak might be around 2 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, because that’s when the shower’s radiant point is highest in the sky as seen around the world. "With no moon to ruin the show, 2012 presents a most favorable year for watching the grand finale of the meteor showers," Earthsky reports. "Best viewing of the …
