The Boldest And Biggest Meteor Shower Of The Year Will Be On Display Above Texas In December
By Katie Lawrence|Published November 22, 2022
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Katie Lawrence
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Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
If you consider yourself a stargazer, don’t miss the Geminid meteor shower in Texas this December. You can see over 120 meteors per hour dart across the night sky during this spectacular celestial event, and they’re some of the boldest and brightest of the year.
Eyes to the sky, Texas! The brilliant Geminid meteor shower will light up the night this December, and - as always - it's expected to be a truly spectacular show.
Visible every year from mid-November to late December, the Geminids are caused by an asteroid. This is an extremely unique phenomenon, as comets are responsible for most meteor showers.
While you may see Geminid meteors at any point during the shower, your best bet is to go outside at the peak of the celestial event. This year, the predicted peak is around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, December 14.
So, just how many meteors can you expect to see during the Geminids? The answer is, quite simply, a lot. The Geminids produce up to 120 meteors per hour - rivaling only the Perseids in August. You don't need any special equipment, either, although binoculars and telescopes can certainly enhance the viewing experience.
The phase of the moon greatly affects meteor visibility - unfortunately, it will be a waning gibbous (about three-quarters of the way full) during the Geminids this year.
All hope is far from lost, however! Since Geminid meteors are so bold and bright, you should still be able to see quite a few in spite of the moonlight. Just be sure to head out to a remote location - such as Big Bend National Park - for the best opportunity!
For more information about the Geminids, visit the EarthSky website.
Have you ever watched the Geminid meteor shower in Texas? If so, where did you go to see it? Tell us all about your experience in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article to learn why Big Bend National Park is one of the top stargazing destinations in the world.
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