One of the most interesting astronomical events to witness is a meteor shower, which is usually caused when the earth passes through a comet's tail and rock or debris creates shooting stars upon burning up in the Earth's upper atmosphere.
Geminid Meteor Shower (12/14/06, Arizona) © Photo by Ethan Miller / Getty Images
According to Stardate.org, one of the most reliable meteor showers is the Geminid, so named because its shooting stars appear to fall from the Gemini constellation. In 2009, the shower can begin to be seen in the Metro-Detroit area on December 7th or thereabouts. That being said, the best time to view the Geminid in southeast Michigan is on December 13th and 14th, when the moon is in a thin-crescent phase and sheds less competing light.
According to Your Sky by John Walker, Gemini will rise in the northeast sky and arc to the east when viewed from the Metro-Detroit area during the peak Geminid viewing time of 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Therefore, the best way to view the Geminid Meteor Shower is to drive away from the bright lights of the city and its suburbs toward a less populated area or big park that is northeast / east from the biggest glow of civilization. Looking out east over Lake St. Clair should help cut down on the competing light and make for good Geminid gazing.
Some ideas for viewing locations:
- Piper Park in Grosse Pointe Farms
- Lakefront Park in St. Clair Shores
- Memorial Park in St. Clair Shores
- Metro Beach Metroparks in Harrison Township
- Bloomer Park in the City of Rochester Hills
Comments