Take advantage of Alaska’s long days of darkness by checking out one of the biggest meteor showers of the year! Visible all over Alaska, this stunning display of the Geminid Meteor Shower will mesmerize you over two days in the middle of this December. Mark your calendar and make sure to grab your warm gear to spend some time appreciating the night sky!
There are few things cooler in this world than a shooting star.
Diana Robinson / Flickr But if you add in an entire array of them, they become absolutely wondrous! The Geminid Meteor Shower is the perfect example of a truly awe inspiring event.
Lovers of meteors look forward to this annual show, as it is one of the brightest of the year.
David Meyer / Flickr You can see on average 50 meteors per hour, however this meteor shower is actually increasing in frequency and brightness. Jupiter’s gravity is pulling the stream of particles closer to Earth, resulting in bigger and faster fireballs for viewing!
In fact, under optimal conditions, you could expect to see anywhere from 120-160 meteors in less than 60 minutes!
Sergiu Bacioiu / Flickr This year there is an almost full moon, which may wash out some of the meteors. However since this meteor shower has many incredibly bright shooting stars, you can still expect to see 20-30 visible meteors per hour.
This meteor shower is over 200 years old, and one of the only major meteor showers that doesn’t originate from a comet.
Lukas Schlagenhauf / Flickr Together with the Quadrantids, which shoots across the sky in January, this shower originates from an asteroid. Both meteor showers are known for their “fireball meteors,” large, fast, rolling balls of light that sometimes end with a flash!
In 2019 this giant meteor shower will take place Friday, December 13th through Saturday, December 14th.
Shannon Dizmang / Flickr Your best bet will be to see them Friday evening, as they end on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. They tend to hit peak brightness at 2:00 a.m., but you will be able to see them as early as 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m.
If you’re lucky, you may even catch some aurora borealis with your meteor shower!
Diana Robinson / Flickr Although rare, it’s very possible! Make sure to research the aurora forecast before you choose which day to head out on. You may just get to see both aurora and meteors!
This is a highly anticipated annual event, and even with the full moon, it’s worth the late night!
Lukas Schlagenhauf / Flickr Grab a friend and watch the sky together, facing opposite directions. Yell out “star!” or “meteor!” when you see one flaming across the sky, and double your chances of seeing each and every one!
Have you had the chance to see one of the largest and most impressive meteor showers in past years? What did you think? Are you going to hunt them down this year? Let us know in the comments below!
Diana Robinson / Flickr
But if you add in an entire array of them, they become absolutely wondrous! The Geminid Meteor Shower is the perfect example of a truly awe inspiring event.
David Meyer / Flickr
You can see on average 50 meteors per hour, however this meteor shower is actually increasing in frequency and brightness. Jupiter’s gravity is pulling the stream of particles closer to Earth, resulting in bigger and faster fireballs for viewing!
Sergiu Bacioiu / Flickr
This year there is an almost full moon, which may wash out some of the meteors. However since this meteor shower has many incredibly bright shooting stars, you can still expect to see 20-30 visible meteors per hour.
Lukas Schlagenhauf / Flickr
Together with the Quadrantids, which shoots across the sky in January, this shower originates from an asteroid. Both meteor showers are known for their “fireball meteors,” large, fast, rolling balls of light that sometimes end with a flash!
Shannon Dizmang / Flickr
Your best bet will be to see them Friday evening, as they end on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. They tend to hit peak brightness at 2:00 a.m., but you will be able to see them as early as 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m.
Although rare, it’s very possible! Make sure to research the aurora forecast before you choose which day to head out on. You may just get to see both aurora and meteors!
Grab a friend and watch the sky together, facing opposite directions. Yell out “star!” or “meteor!” when you see one flaming across the sky, and double your chances of seeing each and every one!
Learn more about the other amazing winter meteor shower here: There’s An Incredible Meteor Shower Happening This Winter And Alaska Has A Front Row Seat.
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