Add some sparkle to the end of 2022 by catching the Geminid meteor shower, an annual celestial gift that you can catch right here in Singapore. This dazzling showcase peaks on December 14, when it's expected to generate up to 120 meteors per hour.
The Geminid meteor shower is so-called because it appears to radiate from the Gemini constellation. It's a unique meteor shower too, being one of the only major showers to originate from the debris of an asteroid rather than a comet – in this case the 3200 Pantheon. The Geminid shower's meteors are particularly bright and plentiful, making it one of the most impressive and reliable showers for sky watchers.
If you're keen to catch it yourself, you can join a viewing party with the Astronomical Society of Singapore on December 16 at Labrador Park. But if you want to try your own luck, your best chance is to head out on December 14 between 9pm to midnight, when the Geminid meteor shower reaches its peak – and before the bright gibbous moon rises.
Here's some advice from NASA for novice stargazers. Find a dark area free of city or streetlights and with a view of wide, open sky. You might want to bring a sleeping bag to lie flat on, with your feet facing south. Look up and allow your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust – and it's best that you refrain from looking at your mobile phone or bright objects to keep your eyes attuned to the darkness. Assuming we have clear skies, you should be able to spot the bright Geminid meteors streaking across the sky – so get ready to make a wish.
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