The skies have cleared here in Los Angeles after a sequence of remarkably rainy days – really torrential downpours that have been very enjoyable. Happily, the clearing has taken place just in time to see the Geminid meteors, which I learned are likely to be quite striking this year*. After midnight or so ought to be good for viewing, and be sure to be looking at the right part of the sky (they originate from the direction of Gemini – see the NASA map on the right). There’s more about it on NASA’s site, and be sure to look at their tips for viewing.
Don’t forget: – don’t assume that being in a large city means you can’t see anything of the astronomical sky. It all depends upon a lot of factors (such as where the patch of the sky you are looking in is in relation to things like where the main cluster of lights are… if you can find a park, hill, rooftop, how patient you are, etc), so give it a chance. It can be nice to be out on a crisp chilly night anyway, perhaps with some friends if your situation means that you don’t feel secure. See some of my earlier posts (like this) for Los Angeles viewing ideas.
Enjoy!
-cvj
*Thanks Aimee and Shelley!
Hi,
Quoting from the post: “see the NASA map on the right”.
So, NASA. See the link I pointed to (“There’s more about it on NASA’s site”) containing further information. They do a special page for each comet shower it seems!
Cheers,
-cvj
Clifford,
Where do you get the spiffy constellation pics with magnitude for your meteor shower diagrams?
At almost minus thirty…….to cold.
Thanks for update.
Hey, the skies cleared completely! I just went out on to my roof and saw a few bright ones over the course of five or six minutes! Excellent.
Time to get to sleep now…
Cheers!
-cvj
Gorgeous clear night in Denver! I was getting a meteor every minute or so, including a couple of nice bright long ones. Mars in Leo was stunning. Hope it clears up for you tomorrow!
Thanks! 🙂
-cvj
Oh dear! Will try to spot some for you here…
Update: Skies here have gone cloudy again. No meteors for me at least. Bah.
-cvj