Friday, December 7, 2012
The most reliable meteor shower of the year, the Geminid, is on its way. Here are some tips for viewing the celestial show.
This time next week, the final, major meteor shower of the year—and likely the best—will be peaking overnight. Get yourself a blanket and a clear view of the sky, because you could be in for a great show. If you liked the Orionids meteor shower in October, you're going to love the Geminids—so named because they appear to emanate from the constellation, Gemini. Producing about 20 meteors per hour when first sighted in the 1830s, NASA reports the Geminids regularly spawn 80 to 120 meteors per hour at peak. How spectacular is this event? Take a look at this video or some of these photos. What are the Geminids? The Geminids are a relatively young meteor shower that originated as pieces of debris from the celestial object 3200 Phaethon. …
Monday, November 12, 2012
Look to the skies for some stunning light displays this November and December.
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Monday, November 12, 2012
As you do your Christmas shopping and plan feasts for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, cast your eyes upon the universe's natural fireworks. 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 (if it's dry) 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. For the latest Royal Oak news and information, "like" Royal Oak Patch on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and sign up for our daily newsletter.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Look to the skies for some stunning light displays this November and December.
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Thursday, November 8, 2012
As you hang holiday lights and light the candles, cast your gaze upon the universe's natural fireworks, as well. A thin crescent moon in 2012 will provide for dark nights and early morning light to enhance this year's North Taurid meteor shower display that peaks Monday, Nov. 12, according to EarthSky.org. To see the showers, look for the moon and Venus in the east before sunrise Nov. 10 and Nov. 11. On Nov. 12, the moon will be below Venus, next to Saturn, according to EarthSky. Space.com reports the best time to see the Taurids meteors, or, "Halloween fireballs," started Nov. 5 and peaks on Monday, as the moon diminishes in brightness each night. Ten to 15 yellow-orange meteors may appear per hour each night and appear to move very …
