Don't miss the Geminids shooting stars in a few days

Every year in December, the Geminids come to light up the eyes of those who like to contemplate the night sky. This year, this shower of shooting stars will be observable from December 4 to 17 with a peak on the night of December 13 to 14.

Stars (and the Moon) in your eyes

Unfortunately, this key moment when the shooting stars will be the most numerous (up to 150 per hour) should not be the most suitable. It is also on this night that the Moon will be full. Its light (in fact that of the Sun which it reflects) could therefore hinder observation, which was probably easier during the previous nights despite the lower density of celestial objects.

The fact remains that if you manage to settle in an area without too much light pollution generated by humans, and the weather plays the game by leaving the skies clear, the result should be very appreciable.

The origins of the Geminids

The Geminid shooting stars, whose name comes from the fact that you have to look at the constellation Gemini above the horizon, move at a “slow” speed of 35 km/s. Enough to simplify their observation, especially since this meteor shower is renowned for its strong brilliance, even its colors.

It is actually dust generated by the tail of the asteroid 3200 Phaeton, which orbits the Sun in just over a year, which explains its appearance above our heads on a regular basis.

So prepare your deckchair, your warm clothes and drinks, because what promises to be a beautiful spectacle just before Christmas is almost here!