Active meteor shower in December 2020

December 2020, before the year end, will showcase one of the most famous of all Meteor showers throughout the year.

1. Geminids (GEM) Meteor shower in December 2020

Active from December 4th to December 20th, 2020 this is one of the the strongest meteor shower of the year. Due to its medium to Slow velocity we can spot meteors in the night sky easily.

Radiant: 07:28 +32.2°
Zenithal Hourly Rate – ZHR: 150
Velocity: 22 miles/sec (medium – 35km/sec)
Parent Object: 3200 Phaethon (asteroid)
Peak: The Geminids will be on peak on the Dec 13-14, 2020 night. On this night, the moon will be 0.66% full.

2. Ursids (URS) Meteor shower in December 2020

Active from December 17th to December 26th, 2020. The Ursids are often neglected due to the fact it peaks just before Christmas and the rates are much less than the Geminds, which peaks just a week before the Ursids.

Radiant: 14:28 +74.8°
Zenithal Hourly Rate – ZHR: 10
Velocity: 20 miles/sec (medium – 32km/sec)
Parent Object: 8P/Tuttle
Peak: The Ursids will be on peak on the Dec 21-22, 2020 night. On this night, the moon will be 50.01% full.

Related: Read here about Meteor shower in November

HOW YOU CAN WATCH METEOR SHOWER?

Find yourself a dark spot, preferably away from city lights, make sure sky is clear and no clouds. Prepare yourself for the weather and get comfortable in a resting chair or lie down on the ground make sure sky is visible from that position.
Give your eyes about 20-30 minutes to adjust in the darkness, once comfortable you may be able to see lot of bright stars and faint stars too. If you are able to see North Star, Little Dipper, this means you are in a good spot to gaze the meteor shower.
Meteor watching need lot of patience, so give at least 1-2 hours to see the fireball show or shooting stars in the night sky.

Remember, do not look at your mobile screen, as it is bright and may ruin your night vision.

TIP: Red lights are somewhat night vision friendly, but avoid direct viewing towards any light source. Switch to night mode or dark screen on your mobile if you have to view the mobile.

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