The 2017 holiday season is quickly approaching its zenith, and we're heading into the new year in style!
The Geminid meteor shower will peak at around midnight on Thursday morning. It is our final sky-show of the year, and it looks like the weather will be temperate enough to give us a truly stellar view.
Quick Facts
- The Geminids get their name because when viewed, it appears they originate from the Gemini constellation.
- In ideal viewing conditions, you can expect 2 meteors a minute, or up to 100 every hour.
- Each meteor travels at about 80,000 mph.
The tail/streak of each meteor is about 10 miles in diameter, but each meteor itself is only about the size of a grain of sand.
Something unusual about this years Geminids is that they won't be alone. They're coming with segments of an asteroid dubbed "3200 Phaethon" which has made headlines recently, and is also visible from Earth.
Fortunately, Phaethon poses no threat of colliding with our little planet.
Dr. Ed Krupp joined us on the show tonight to talk all things Geminids. Listen in the iHeartRadio player below!
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