The Boldest And Biggest Meteor Shower Of The Year Will Be On Display Above Connecticut In December

We've got several great observatories in Connecticut that are wonderful spots to admire the stars at any time of year. Whether you're an experienced astronomer armed with telescope and special equipment or a budding stargazer just starting out with the hobby, celestial events like meteor showers are pretty spectacular. Each December, the northern hemisphere is treated to an amazing meteor shower that's one of the biggest and brightest of the entire year. The Geminid meteor shower will be visible in Connecticut in early December, and this is one easily-viewed celestial event that you won't want to miss.

The Geminid meteor shower occurs annually and it's typically among the brightest celestial events that can be seen with the naked eye. You don't need a special telescope or any unique equipment to see it if the weather's clear and you're away from city lights.

The 2022 event will begin the evening of December 14. It'll be visible anywhere in the northern hemisphere, and is expected to be at its peak around 2:00-3:00 a.m. local time.

The meteors' speed is around 22 miles per second, which sounds fast, but is actually considered fairly medium for a meteor shower. This means they're much easier to spot than faster-moving meteors.

The meteors in the Geminid shower can be traced to a parent asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon. This celestial body comes closer to the sun during its orbit than any other named asteroid.

Since the Nutmeg State is so densely populated, you'll want to make sure you're not in a big city if you want the best glimpse of the meteors. Areas with little light pollution make for the best viewing spots.

Set your alarm and get your warm coats ready - the Geminid meteor shower in Connecticut is sure to be one of the brightest and biggest celestial events of the year!

Are you planning to catch the December meteor shower in Connecticut? Have you ever seen it in prior years? Share your experiences in the comments!