Geminids to put on spectacular night show

Amazing streaks of light from numerous "falling stars" will provide a night spectacle until December 17.

Falling stars will be radiating from the constellation of Gemini until December 17, peaking on the night of December 14 until the early morning ofDecember 15, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Against a dark and cloudless sky and just after midnight of its peak activity, meteors can be seen at an average rate of 40 per hour, PAGASA said.

The Geminids shower is significantly different from other meteor showers because it does not originate from a comet but from an asteroid, the 3200 Phaethon.

Meteors from this shower are very rocky and gritty and slightly easier to see compared to other showers.

The slow-moving meteors were first observed in 1862, much more recently than other showers. It is thought that the showers have been intensifying every year and recent showers have seen 120-160 meteors per hour under optimal conditions, generally around 2 a.m. to 3 a.m.

PAGASA said there will be shooting stars that are big enough to be seen with the naked eye.

Facing the eastern horizon, the shooting stars will originate from the Gemini constellation about 15 degrees above the horizon.

Additionally, this month, PAGASA said the sun will reach the winter solstice on December 22, which marks the time when the sun lies at its farthest point south of the equator.

It signals the onset of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere, making Philippine nights longer than daytime.

PAGASA added that the earth has completed another annual circuit around the sun during this period.