A spectacular meteor shower will soon be visible from NC. Here’s when to look up
The Geminid meteor shower is one of the most exciting of the year, and it will be visible in North Carolina skies soon.
The abundant display of shooting stars will give skywatchers the opportunity to see up to 100 meteors an hour in perfect conditions, Forbes reported. There may also be a view of bright planet Jupiter shining among the constellations.
“You can expect to see perhaps up to 100 meteors an hour, so that might be one or two a minute, which would be a brilliant view — it is one of the strongest showers of the year,” Dr. Robert Massey, deputy executive director of London’s Royal Astronomical Society, said in an online video.
Here’s when and how to see it all.
When is the Geminid meteor shower?
The meteor shower is this weekend, Saturday Dec. 13 to Sunday Dec. 14, according to EarthSky.org.
You can watch the Geminids nearly all night, from evening until dawn. EarthSky says they’re “bold, bright and sometimes colorful.”
Weekend weather forecast
Raleigh/Durham: According to NWS Raleigh, Saturday night has slight chance of rain after 1 a.m., and Sunday will be clear and very cold, around 18 degrees.
Charlotte: According to NWS Charlotte, Saturday night will be cloudy with a chance of showers after 4 a.m., and Sunday night will also be clear and cold.
Best places to skywatch
Raleigh/Durham: The Raleigh Astronomy Club recommends Falls Lake Dam and Jordan Lake Dam for public viewing. The club will hold observing sessions for members throughout the year at “darker sky sites,” including Big Woods, Three Bears Acres and Howell Woods. Morehead Planetarium’s skywatching sites throughout the year include Little River Regional Park, The Durham Hotel and Dorothea Dix Park.
At 8 p.m. Saturday, skywatchers can head to Historic Stagville in Bahama to see the meteors with local astronomy groups. Learn more and register online at historicsites.nc.gov.
Charlotte: UNC Charlotte’s Observatory has telescopes and high-tech equipment, occasionally offering public viewing. The Space Tourism Guide blog recommends Mint Hill, Crowders Mountain State Park and Maryland Earth to Sky Park.
