Geminids Meteor Showers: Witness 2022’s Most Magnificent Cosmic Light Show from Bengaluru on December 13th
If you are a Bangalore an, you are probably aware that the Karnataka capital has little to offer in terms of recreation other than its nightclubs and restaurants. But Bengaluru does manage to surprise you every now and then.
If you’re looking for something fun to do this week, we’ve got some great news for you. The Geminids meteor showers will shine brightly in Bengaluru’s skies this week. And if you’re willing to venture outside of the city, you can see the Geminids streaking across the night sky in all their glory!
When Earth passes through a dusty gravel trail and debris left behind by the famous ‘rock comet’ 3200 Phaethon, the Geminids meteor shower occurs. This comet’s tiny meteoroids enter Earth’s upper atmosphere, creating bright streaks of light in the dark sky. The Geminids shower gets its name from the ‘shooting stars’ that appear to originate from the constellation Gemini.
Every year, they illuminate the Northern Hemisphere’s night skies, and this year is no exception.
We recommend that you make no other plans between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. You might even have to call in sick because there’s no way you’ll get any sleep or get back home in time for work once the show starts.
Let’s take a look at what your night would be like if you decided to enjoy the Geminids.
Between 100 and 150 meteors will pass by in an hour, but Bengaluru will not be able to see them all due to light pollution within the city limits and the gibbous Moon, which may obscure the shooting stars.
Still, the outer outskirts of the city offer the best viewing opportunities, with around 30-40 meteors flying by each hour.
Areas near Bengaluru such as Hessarghatta, Bannerghatta, Devarayanadurga, and Kolar may provide a good view of the meteor showers. And, because they’re expected to peak between 2 and 3 a.m., we recommend you leave your homes early so you don’t miss them.
When you arrive at your desired location, look for an area devoid of buildings. Then, spread out a blanket and lie down for at least 30 minutes to allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness.
Fortunately, no special equipment is required. Even telescopes are not recommended due to their limited field of view.
When Geminids meteors strike the Earth’s atmosphere, they produce multicoloured meteors, the most common of which are white, flash yellow, blue, and green. Because of their size and slow speed, there will be plenty of slow-moving fireballs on display during the shower.
Furthermore, if you want to photograph the Geminids, you could use a DSLR with a wide-angle lens or even a smartphone. Aim for long exposures at predetermined intervals.
Meanwhile, if you can’t leave Bengaluru, the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium will host an overnight workshop on December 13 from 10 p.m. to 4.30 a.m. to educate people about the night sky and recreate the Geminids showers.