One of the most beautiful meteor showers of the year, the Geminids - Photo: NEW SCIENTIST
With its strong intensity, stable activity time, and favorable moonlight conditions, this year's Geminids are considered by observers to be one of the most spectacular meteor showers to watch. Vietnam is located in a region where it can be clearly observed with the naked eye.
80-100 meteors per hour
The Geminids are an annual meteor shower originating from asteroid 3200 Phaethon. Unlike most meteor showers that originate from comets, the Geminids form from a celestial body orbiting very close to the Sun.
This meteor shower began in early December and lasted until around December 20th, with its peak occurring on the night of December 13th/early morning of December 14th, Vietnam time.
Under ideal conditions, the Geminids can produce between 80 and over 100 meteors per hour.
The Geminids meteor shower typically features bright streaks of light, moves at a moderate speed, and sometimes leaves a faint trail of smoke lasting a few seconds in the sky, making this meteor shower particularly captivating to observe.
One advantage of the 2025 Geminids is that moonlight won't be a major obstacle. At the time the meteor shower reaches its peak, the Moon will be in its waning crescent phase and will only rise near dawn.
As a result, most of the night sky maintains the necessary darkness, creating favorable conditions for observing meteor showers, especially during the first and middle halves of the night.
The Geminids meteor shower is stunning and eagerly awaited every year - Photo: SCIENCE ALERT
What is the situation regarding Geminids in Vietnam?
According to experts, the Geminids meteor shower can be observed quite clearly from Vietnam this year.
The apparent origin of this meteor shower is in the constellation Gemini, in the Northern Hemisphere. With its geographical location spanning approximately 8 to 23 degrees North latitude, Vietnam lies within the region where the Geminids' radiation can reach high in the sky, especially from midnight onwards.
In the north, the radiation level is higher, favorable for observing a greater number of meteors; while in the central and southern regions, although slightly lower, the radiation level is still high enough to clearly observe this phenomenon.
The most suitable time for observation in Vietnam is recommended to be from after 9 PM, when the radiation level begins to rise, until early morning on December 14th.
However, the period from midnight to around 4-5 am is considered the "golden hour," when more meteors appear because the Earth rotates in the opposite direction of the meteoroid's movement.
To effectively observe the Geminids, viewers do not need specialized equipment such as telescopes or binoculars, because the meteors move very quickly and can only be properly tracked with the naked eye.
It's important to choose a location with a dark sky, avoiding city lights and obstructions such as tall buildings or tree canopies.
A streak of light during the Geminids meteor shower - Photo: CNN
After arriving at the viewing spot, viewers should allow their eyes to adjust to the darkness for about 15-20 minutes, and avoid using phones or strong light sources to increase their ability to perceive faint meteor trails.
Experts also note that it's not necessary to focus solely on the Geminid constellation. The Geminids meteor shower can appear in many different areas of the sky. Observing a wide area of the sky, looking upwards, is often more effective.
In Vietnam, amidst increasing light pollution in major cities, meteor showers like the Geminids offer a rare opportunity for observers to reconnect with the night sky in the simplest way possible.
Tuoitre.vn
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dem-13-sang-14-12-co-hoi-ngam-mua-sao-bang-geminids-tuyet-dep-tai-viet-nam-20251213154750859.htm#content-1
Comment (0)