December 13 - I love any excuse to be in natural places in the dark of night. It makes me feel so adventurous. In north Scottsdale, we are blessed with a velvety black sky that is usually studded with thousands of stars. A few weeks ago, we enjoyed a night walk under a super moon, but tonight the moon is hiding and it's a good thing too for tonight is the best bet for seeing the annual Geminid Meteor Shower. We decided to drive to the edge of the desert wilderness and search the sky for any flashes of light. We were not disappointed. We saw about two dozen meteors during the 40 minutes we stood marveling at the sky.
Every December, earth cross the orbital path of a "rock comet" or asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which is the parent body for the Geminid meteors flashing past our planet. The term "Geminid" refers to the fact that these meteors appear to originate from the constellation Gemini (the twins), even though one has nothing to do with the other. As a general rule, the higher the constellation Gemini climbs in the sky, the more the number and intensity of meteor sightings increases.
If you missed the Geminid shower this year, it is an annual event and will occur next December once again on the 13th and 14th. At the beginning of the new year, mark your calendar with major sky happenings found on sites like Sea Sky's Astronomy Calendar. There are also phone apps that send alerts or help you navigate the night sky. Viewing celestial events with your family or others can be a fun after dark activity. Children love the excitement of being outside in the dark. Sit under the stars with snacks and hot chocolate, as well as lots of cozy blankets.
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