Sydney meteor shower alert

[Guest Fred Bear]

Richard Macey

 

December 14, 2007 - 12:15PM

 

It's not New Year's Eve, but nature is preparing to stage its own fireworks show overnight.

 

A break in the recent rain has given Sydney skywatchers a chance of spotting a meteor shower tonight.

 

If the clouds stay away, says Nick Lomb, the astronomer at the Powerhouse Museum's Sydney Observatory, "there could be a meteor about every minute or two". If they are good, "they could look like fireworks, or distant flares".

 

The meteor shower, which happens in mid-December every year, is called the Geminids because, although they can be seen in any part of the sky, they appear to be radiate from a point near the twin stars of Gemini.

 

Dr Lomb said the most intensive part of the shower was tipped to appear about 3.45am tomorrow "give or take two hours". However he said the first meteors could be visible tonight as early as 11pm.

 

The timing may provide a spectacular free celestial display for revellers making their way home after Friday night Christmas parties.

 

"It is probably the most reliable meteor shower," said Dr Lomb, adding that people hoping to catch a glimpse of the shower should look towards the north.

 

"They are best seen from a dark sky, but they can be seen from the suburbs. [in past years] I have seen them from Sydney Observatory, which is right in the middle of the city.

 

"It is fortunate that this year the meteor shower will be happening before dawn in Australia, and when there will be no moon in the sky to create glare."

 

Dr Lomb said the Geminids meteor shower was created by the Earth running into a long trail of dust streaming out behind an asteroid called 3200 Phaeton.

 

The astronomer said most meteor showers were associated with dust trails left by comets - often described as balls of dirt and ice - rather than rock-like asteroids.

 

One possible explanation was that Phaeton was an extinct comet whose dust, gas and ice evaporated and was blown away long ago after making too many close approaches to the sun.

 

 

 

[Guest David C]

Don't scare me with that Shower word !!.... But seriously are there any more of these meteor showers predicted for the next week or so , or was this one a one off event and we have to wait a year for another ??

 

Dave C

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

Dave, meteor showers occur all throughout the year but this was supposed to be one of the best. From 2300 onwards I saw about 2 a min but very light and fast. Not much to write home about this time. Being on the outskirts of Sydney too we had dark viewing conditions. For those that did not get up early to see it, you did not miss much.

 

Here is a good web site Dave to notify you of any celestial events.

 

http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

A while back i was sailing up the nth qld coast and saw one of the better Leonoid meteor showers. (some years are better than others). Some of these burnt quite bright and for quite a distance across the sky. glowing green and blueish purple. possibly a lot of copper and iron content. several made it to the stage were you could hear the rumble and they broke apart. it was so good that as the sun came up i stood up and applauded.

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

Good stuff Ozzie! I have a collection at home that cost me quite a few pennies of ones that have survived after the 'bang' re-entry. Some of my pride and joy my meteorite collection. Emma and I are also into tracking visual satellites/iridium flares, forecast satellite re-entries etc etc. We saw a nice satellite re-entry last week. Lots of white light, green and showers of green and red sparks. Was quite wonderful.