Sky show on tonight - Geminids Dec 13/14

[macdoc]

Decided to put here for a wider view as it s a good year with a moonless night

The annual Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak globally around 21 hr UT (15 hr CST) on 2012 DEC 13. Unlike the usual recommendation to observe after midnight, this shower should be fairly prominent most of the night since Gemini rises around 18:00 local time. So Thursday night should be best for North Americans, but tonight (Wednesday) may be equally good. In general, northern hemisphere observers have the advantage.

The constellation Gemini is the radiant, meaning the meteors’ tails appear to be pointing back toward it. However, the meteors are about as likely to appear anywhere in your sky.

Unlike most meteor showers, the Geminids are believed to be remnants of an asteroid rather than a comet. They were first observed in 1862, far more recently than most of the major showers. The display has been increasing in intensity in recent years, with reports averaging two meteors per minute. The Dark Moon will provide no hindrance this year.

I
Had a great time a couple years back...big time fireballs and 60-80 per hour - even a couple in formation.
Might be good if it's clear.

[pErvinalia]

I went out last night with the camera and only got about 45 minutes or so of clear skies, then the clouds came in. Only saw about 5.

[Jason]

It's beautifully overcast here with no signs of clearing. I just picked up the tripod for my Bausch & Lomb lens too. Now if only I had a camera.

[pErvinalia]

It's totally fine here now (about midday). Maybe i'll get some shots tonight? Although, it will be well past it's peak by then (the peak was actually about 24 hours ago).

[FBM]

It's been hazy and cloudy here every night of the whole show.

[macdoc]

here too - some cloud breaks but not enough to take a trip - I soak in the hot tub and watch through the breaks

[FBM]

here too - some cloud breaks but not enough to take a trip - I soak in the hot tub and watch through the breaks

At least you get breaks. Our extended forecast is for cloud cover well into next week. I guess I'll have to wait for the next one. Or just go out whenever it does clear up and hope for rare non-shower-related meteors. But it's facking cold out, so waiting for Spring sounds like it.

[macdoc]

My hot tub sojourn paid off even with a narrow field of view and too much ambient light in the burbs

baby bear streaked over once eyes adjusted
then a momma bear showed up shyly from an odd angle

solid papa bear cruised across and then just as I was about to get out and call it \

jupiter magnitude made the night…in my top 10 for sure - maybe higher. - slow and big fireball. Larger disc than jupiter and about as bright.

Funny angles on a couple tho the two big ones were the norm radiant.

Now I'm tempted to head to the flying field as it's clear and clearly some action about.

[macdoc]

ack heading out - too good to miss this one

http://news.yahoo.com/early-reports-sug ... 24099.html

[FBM]

Got a camera, macdoc?

[anna09]

For once we actually have a clear night! Just went out now and saw a few!

I'm so excited, this is the first time I've ever seen one before!!

[Kristie]

It's cloudy here.

[macdoc]

very busy sky - easy 60 per hour- chilly but worth it
in hr zero gravity chair so good view - nothing stunning so far but maybe two mediums for every 15 small ones

if you are still up and in a clear area get out there - good shower

saaw 6 on the drive up here which is unusual from a vehicle - good sky for it here in Arthur ONtario

have no idea how to shoot a nighyt sky - I hae my gx1 with a wide angle with me but not a clue and no tripod

almost perfect conditions - fucking chilly - right at freezing but a 25 km wind - all bundled in my mcycle gear ( I went riding earlier so had it all out ) but hard to keep hands warm
just in the car at the moment warming up and listening to CBC - have the screen dimmed way down so still can see a chunk of sky
lots on the sw horizon
when I"m in the zero chair I'm almost looking at zenith - jupiter very bright - might get out the binocs and slight left of zeneith, Plieiades easily visible and the north star to my right.

Lots of activity at zenith with small ones and the occasional medium cruiser - couple good size mostly near horizon

back out to the cold

Those are copper when green - very cool when they "drip" green. - I've seen one substantially bigger than this - jaw dropper and it was still light out tho sun was low.
A couple of others close to the same tho not as big.



nothing tonight tho maybe one top ten from the hot tub and a big time record from the car. WAs reallyt surprised at that.

[macdoc]

'm so excited, this is the first time I've ever seen one before!!

sheltered life - too many books

good for you - there are several showers each year and making it a bit of an annual event it fun.

spaceweather.com has a list. and photos

"I was setting up my telescope when suddenly there appeared a fireball so bright it made my heart beat like crazy," says Metallinos. "Spectacular moment!"

Last night, NASA's network of all-sky meteor cameras detected 56 Geminid fireballs streaking over the southern United States. The multi-camera system automatically triangulates to find the orbits of any meteoroids it detects. Here is last night's orbit diagram:

[FBM]

Thanks for the pics and the link, macdoc! Bookmarked.