On December 13, the Geminid Meteor Shower will be visible from most of North America, including Montana. If you live in Big Sky Country, you owe it to yourself to check it out. This is one of the best meteor showers of the year, and it’s a great way to enjoy one more amazing natural phenomenon of 2019.
The Geminid Meteor Shower occurs every December when the Earth goes through a trail of debris left by a rocky space object named 3200 Phaethon.
TierraLady / Flickr Particles from Phaethon burn up when they enter Earth’s atmosphere.
This year, the party kicks off on the evening of Friday, December 13, and is expected to continue through the night.
Jeff Sullivan / Flickr The meteors appear to emanate from the star Castor in the Gemini constellation.
This year, the skies will be saturated with moonlight from the 98% waning gibbous moon, meaning you’ll only be able to see the brightest meteors.
Danny Leung / Flickr Scientists say that if you’re watching from a rural area with clear skies - you know, like most of Montana - you’ll be able to see the most activity.
Another reason to check out this amazing occurrence: Geminid Meteors are bright with a greenish hue, making them appear seasonally festive.
St0rmz / Flickr They also tend to leave long-lasting dust trails in the sky, which look beautiful from the ground.
It’s a good thing this meteor shower is happening on a Friday, as it tends to peak pretty late.
Donovan Shortey / Flickr If you’re watching between midnight and 2 a.m., you’ll see the most shooting stars - but you’ll see activity as soon as the sky gets dark.
If you’ve never experienced the Geminid meteor shower, make this the year you check it out.
NASA HQ PHOTO / Flickr We’ve got a lot of holiday light shows taking place in Montana right now, but this one is courtesy of Mother Nature herself.
There will be plenty of places in rural Montana to see these amazing shooting stars – and that’s one of the many reasons it’s good to be a Montanan.
TierraLady / Flickr
Particles from Phaethon burn up when they enter Earth’s atmosphere.
Jeff Sullivan / Flickr
The meteors appear to emanate from the star Castor in the Gemini constellation.
Danny Leung / Flickr
Scientists say that if you’re watching from a rural area with clear skies - you know, like most of Montana - you’ll be able to see the most activity.
St0rmz / Flickr
They also tend to leave long-lasting dust trails in the sky, which look beautiful from the ground.
Donovan Shortey / Flickr
If you’re watching between midnight and 2 a.m., you’ll see the most shooting stars - but you’ll see activity as soon as the sky gets dark.
NASA HQ PHOTO / Flickr
We’ve got a lot of holiday light shows taking place in Montana right now, but this one is courtesy of Mother Nature herself.
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