Geminids 2024: day and time to enjoy the best meteor shower in Colombia

In December, the night skies offer an unparalleled spectacle: the meteor shower Geminids 2024
. This astronomical event, known to be the brightest and most colorful, occurs annually in this month and peaks on the night of December 13-14. Unlike many meteor showers that originate from comets, the Geminids come from an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon, located in the Gemini constellation.

According to NASA, this celestial object, discovered in 1983, leaves a trail of particles when it approaches the Sun. The Earth crosses these remains every December, generating a spectacle of meteors that pass through our atmosphere at incredible speeds, disintegrating and creating multicolored flashes of light. The meteors in this shower are particularly bright and fast, with shades ranging from white and yellow to red. This is due to the composition of the meteoroids, which include metals such as sodium and calcium, the same ones used to give color to fireworks.

(You can read: Starfall will coincide with the supermoon: tips for watching the event in Colombia)

When can this show be seen in Colombia?

The event begins to be visible from December 4, but its peak will occur between the night of Friday the 13th and the early hours of Saturday the 14th. Under ideal conditions, between 120 and 150 meteors can be observed per hour, making the Geminids the most active and anticipated shower of the year.

However, this year the brightness of the Moon, which will be 97% illuminated, could slightly interfere with the observations. Despite this, the brightest meteors will be visible, especially in the early hours of the morning.

The best time to observe the Geminids will be around 2:00 am, when the shower’s radiant point, located in the constellation Gemini, is highest in the sky. Although it is not necessary to look directly at Gemini, it is useful to identify it as a reference to maximize the experience, as explained by Star Walk.

Star Walk

Tips to enjoy the Geminids 2024

If you want to make the most of this astronomical spectacle, follow these recommendations:

1. Choose a dark and clear place: Getting away from city lights is crucial to avoid light pollution. Rural areas, beaches or mountains are ideal.
2. Wear warm clothes and blankets: Remember that December nights can be cold. Also bring a reclining chair or mat for added comfort.
3. Avoid looking directly at your cell phone: Bright light from devices can affect your eyes’ adaptation to the dark. Use a flashlight with a red filter if you need lighting.
4. Be patient: It takes about 20-30 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the darkness. Stay watching for at least an hour for maximum enjoyment.
5. Block Moonlight: If the lunar illumination is very intense, try to locate a tree or building that partially hides it.

Where will the observation be best in Colombia?

Although the Geminids can be observed throughout the country, the regions with clear skies and less light pollution, such as rural areas of the Eastern Plains, the La Tatacoa desert or the Coffee Region, offer more favorable conditions.

In addition to the Geminids, the December astronomical calendar includes several minor meteor showers, such as the Ursids, which will peak on December 22 with approximately 10 meteors per hour. Although not as intense as the Geminids, they are also worth seeing.

Although they are now recognized as one of the most important meteor showers, The Geminids went unnoticed during their first appearances in the mid-19th century, with just 10 to 20 meteors per hour. Over time, they have become a notable spectacle, offering up to 120 meteors per hour during their peak activity.

Key data from the Geminids 2024, according to NASA

• Origen: Asteroid 3200 Phaeton
• Activity period: From November 19 to December 24
• Maximum peak: Night of December 13 to 14
• Radiant: Gemini constellation
• Speed: 127,000 km/h (35 km/s)
• Frequency: Up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions

NASA

Unlike most meteor showers, which originate from comets, the Geminids come from the asteroid 3200 Phaeton, discovered on October 11, 1983. This small asteroid, only 5.1 km in diameter, has peculiar characteristics: although it follows an orbit similar to that of comets, it does not develop a tail as it approaches the Sun.

For this reason, NASA astronomers consider it a “rocky comet” or a “dead comet.” The fragments broken off from Phaethon are significantly denser than typical cometary dust, making them unique. The point in the sky from which Geminid meteors appear to emerge, known as the radiant, is in the constellation Gemini. Although this constellation inspires the name of the shower, meteors can be seen throughout the night sky.