‘One of the best’ meteor showers of the year is over WA this week. Here’s how to watch
The peak of the Geminid meteor shower will take place this week beginning Wednesday night, and Washington stargazers could see up to 150 meteors per hour, depending on weather conditions.
The event is considered to be “one of the best and most reliable” annual meteor showers, according to NASA.
This will be an excellent year for viewing the Geminids, according to Space.com, because its peak is when there’s a new moon, meaning there will be little light pollution.
The shower will begin around 9 or 10 p.m. Pacific time on Wednesday, NASA says, and peak around 2 a.m. Thursday when the shower’s radiant — area of origin — is at its highest in the sky.
“Be patient – the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse,” NASA’s website states.
If you can’t spot the Geminids on Wednesday night, don’t worry; they’re viewable until Dec. 24.
Could clouds and fog ruin the view?
Looking out the window, you’ll likely see a smattering of clouds or a layer of thick fog covering the sky above. You may think that’s no good for viewing meteors, and you’d be right.
The National Weather Service forecasts that Puget Sound will see an 80% chance of rain on Wednesday night, but regions closer to the Pacific coast will likely be clear. Eastern Washington, such as around the Tri-Cities area, will be dealing with patchy fog and clouds throughout the week.
But there is still a chance to view them over the coming days.
National Weather Service meteorologist Dustin Guy told McClatchy News the best chance to see the Geminids would be earlier in the night, around 8 p.m.
“We’ve had some low clouds, which are generally burning off from a lot of areas this afternoon,” Guy said. “But the problem is, as we go into the night, we’re going to see a combination of some some high clouds moving into the area, and fog will likely reform again overnight.”
If you want a better chance of seeing the meteor shower, Guy recommends moving to higher ground above the cloud ceiling, which is the altitude of the thick clouds covering the sky. The lowest clouds are only at 1,000 feet, Guy said, meaning many of Washington’s passes and mountainous areas will have clearer viewing.
“I can’t guarantee it’s going to be clear for everyone,” Guy said. “If you can get out of that fog, certainly the mountains are a little bit better location to get a view of the night sky.”
Stargazing tips
NASA offers these stargazing tips to improve your experience:
Find an area away from the city and streetlights.
Bundle up and lay flat on your back with your feet facing south.
It will take approximately 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark so you can see the meteors.
Refrain from looking at your cell phone or other bright objects to keep your eyes adjusted.
The 2023 Geminid meteor shower began on Nov. 19 and originates from 3200 Phaethon, which NASA describes as an asteroid or possible “rock comet.”
Geminid meteors travel about 22 miles per second or 79,000 miles per hour, according to NASA. The Geminids first appeared in the mid-1800s and are bright and typically yellow.
