#SKY AND TELESCOPE 2022 CALENDAR FULL#

Their debris field is rockier than the typical icy debris from comets, meaning they take longer to burn up when they meet Earth’s atmosphere, giving viewers a longer view of each meteor. NASA says mystery still surrounds the true origination of 3200 Phaethon, but one thing is clear: The meteors of the Geminid shower do look different. The Geminid Meteor Shower from rural Utah. It’s the only shower coupled to an asteroid instead of a comet.

Since there’s no active comet tied to the shower, scientists believe the Geminid meteor shower is connected to the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which NASA first discovered in 1983. With Gemini having such an early appearance each evening, you can catch the shower as early as 9 p.m.Ī relatively newly discovered meteor shower-the first viewing was recorded in England in 1862-the Geminid show offers something different from most of the other meteor showers throughout the year. The best Geminid viewing occurs from midnight into the pre-dawn hours, and, as the name suggests, ideal gazing occurs when looking toward the constellation Gemini.

#SKY AND TELESCOPE 2022 CALENDAR FULL#

Peaking between December 13–14, the Geminid meteor shower does pair closely with the December full moon, meaning it will be tougher to catch a glimpse of the 75 meteors per hour on average that will be pumping through the sky. One of the most active meteor showers of the year is a highlight this month. Let’s look to the skies together-join Pop Mech Pro. And with a darkening sky each night leading toward the shortest day of the year on December 21, there’s plenty of time between sunset and sunrise to take in these spectacular sights. As one of the more active months near the end of the year, December features events from lunar occultations to multiple meteor showers.

Stargazers have plenty to keep them busy on December nights. December is the best time for planet watchers to get a good view of Mercury.Early-month lunar occultations of Uranus and Mars will give December skies extra appeal.The Geminid meteor shower mid-month is one of the most active of the entire year.

Sky and telescope 2022 calendar