NASA scientist says two debris streams may cross after sunset, Dec. 13.
There are plenty of meteor showers in the late fall – we’ve seen the Orionids in October, and the Taurids and Leonids in November. If you got outside at the right time, and the weather was nice, maybe you saw a few “shooting stars.” Tonight, however, may be different. That’s because we may be treated to not one, but two meteor showers at the same time, according to NASA. In addition to the peak of the Geminid shower, there may be a brand new meteor shower debuting after sunset tonight, Dec. 13. The new, as-yet-to-be-named shower is courtesy of Comet Wirtanen, discovered in 1948, according to Bill Cooke, from NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office. As for the source of the Geminids, it’s somewhat of a mystery, Cooke said on NASA’s website. “…
Look to the skies for some stunning light displays this November and December.
As you hang the Christmas lights and light the candles, cast your eyes upon the universe's natural fireworks as well. Astronomers anticipate three meteor showers this November and December. Nov. 12: Taurid Meteor Shower Nov. 17: Leonid Meteor Shower Dec. 13: Geminid Meteor Shower Be sure to schedule a night this season to bundle up, lay out some blankets and enjoy the light show in the sky. Share your tips for photographing the showers. Tell us your favorite places to sneak off to view the skies.
Get your wish list ready, this may be a good weekend to find that shooting star.
Meteors will be shooting across the night sky this weekend, with a little knowledge and some planning, you may just catch one of nature's best shows. Jeff Marx, associate professor of physics at McDaniel College, said the Perseid meteors are often fast meteors, moving 50 to 70 kilometers per second. He said they are also fairly bright, and may leave visible trails. Marx said the predictions this year are for a modest shower, an average of one visible meteor per minute at peak. "You might go several minutes without seeing any meteors and see a few in just a minute," Marx said. "In part, it's the hope of witnessing one of those little statistical flukes that makes watching meteor showers so much fun." To optimize viewing, Marx suggests the …
Tina Lee
7:34 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012
Last night around 8:30 in Westminster Maryland.....I was on Rt 97 by Stone Road, going down the road by Big Pipe Creek.. my daughter and I seen a Bright light to our right side of us, we both followed it with our eyes, then it disappeared. I said to my daughter that I'd bet you that was something from the Moon..It was just as Bright. I wanted to follow it, but I'm sure I know where it would be...… more ›