Geminids Meteor shower Viewing

[Jabba]

Hello,

Just wondering first of all, if it will be possible to see the Geminids in the Southern Hemisphere?
If so, when would be the best time to see it, and how many per hour is estimated to be seen?

Thanks :thumbsup:
Keenan.

[erick]

http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/blog/?p=672

http://home.mira.net/~reynella/skywatch/ssky.htm#Meteor (http://home.mira.net/%7Ereynella/skywatch/ssky.htm#Meteor)

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread524287/pg1


There you go!

Overnight Sun/Mon is probably the best? I will struggle to go out then so I might try overnight Mon/Tue.

[Jabba]

Thanks for the info Eric!

Do you think its worth staying out Saturday night to try and see them? I would rather stay up on a weekend night rather than a work night :(

[erick]

I only know what I read, Keenan, and I did read that some reports are already coming in of Geminids being observed. So I think the answer is yes.

It's the old astronomy story. There is one way to guarantee that you won't see anything and that is to stay indoors. You gotta be out there!

[circumpolar]

The Gemenids are getting better each year and are predicted to do so for the next few decades, says Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/08dec_geminids.htm

Below is a ZHR graph comprised by Bill Cooke showing how the shower has intensified since its discovery in 1862.

[Liz]

Yes, also looking forward to this shower. I will have a look Sat and Sun nights, then crawl outa bed for a supposed peak from 2am Monday.
It is supposed to be good a couple days either side of the peak, so certainly worth a look, especially with the rates increasing.

This from Spaceweather.com -

What's driving the surge? The source of the Geminids is extinct comet 3200 Phaethon. A stream of debris from the comet has been sweeping across Earth's orbit for more than a century, and we are plunging deeper into the stream with each December crossing. Computer models suggest that the Geminids will continue to intensify with meteor rates jumping another 20% to 50% in the decades ahead.
Researchers will be watching the 2009 Geminids to see if the trend does indeed continue. Rates could exceed 140 meteors per hour when the shower peaks on Dec. 13th and 14th

[Analog6]

I am staying out near Clifton in SEQ on Saturday night and as there are nice, reasonably dark skies and it is falttish. I am hopeful of seeing some and getting some photos. Which way best to look (ie N/NE/NW) and how high (or low) over the horizon can we expoect them to be?

[Vartigy]

Pretty sure I saw a couple last night. May not have been geminids, but were surely entry matter.
Can't wait.

[Blue Skies]

It's usually best not to look directly at the radiant, but to scan an area about 30 degrees from the radiant. The reason being that any meteors right near the radiant will be short (almost face on) but the further away from the radiant the longer they will be. What I usually do is face in the general direction of the radiant (in this case north) but focus my attention away from it. You will find the meteors all over the sky, some low to the north, some overhead, some moving to the east - they are radiating from the radiant, of course! As for taking photos, pick a nice constellation, like Orion or Taurus, and centre on that, then keep you fingers crossed that one or two go through the field of view.

[seanliddelow]

Thanks for the Advice:thumbsup:

[Analog6]

Thanks Jacquie, hopefully I will have some shots to post up here tomorrow morning.

[nsfx]

Hi guys! i am new here! i just read a news article about the Geminids Meteor that is supposedly happening tonight. Can anyone guide me as to how i can watch the shower?

I did some research and found that it's better to be watching at a dark place. I was wondering if it will be better if i just watch it from my house balcony? i stay in the heart of Melbourne City on the 35th floor and i can pretty much see everything (unobstructed views of the skies). Balcony faces east. If not, can any melburnians recommend me a place to watch?

Can someone help? this is my first time. Thank you so much.

[alby]

Hi There,
Can anyone tell me if I can see the Andromeda Galaxy from Sydney's Northern beaches, or is it too low in the sky ? I've been out a couple of times looking for it but no luck. I have a pair of Celestron 15 x70 binoculars.Thanks very much,Al

[digitalplankton]

so is it mean to peak around 2 am, or is that just a guess? i cant find any solid info on what time!! am eagerly awaiting this...

living on a island off cairns with crystal clear un-interupted views of the skys!!!

[Liz]

read a few sites that said peak for us was from 0200 Monday am, but good views from tonight for 3 nights anyway, enjoy Sid, sounds like a supherb spot to lay back and enjoy!!!
OOh, dont get too excited as meteor showers hava mind of their own, just go and enjoy what you see whether 10 or 50!!

[Liz]

Al, you are caught up in the Geminid Meteor thread ... whether you want to make a new new post??

I can see the Andromeda Galaxy from North Qld, but not sure about Sydney, esp in Sydney lights?? Would very VERY low in the north,if visible at all??

[Liz]

NSFX ... Not sure what part of Melbourne you are in, but maybe too light??
Perhaps tonight just relax on your balcony and check out the East for a couple of hours and see what you see??
If you are keen, go to a darker site tomorrow night. Its still not 100 % that you will see heaps wherever you are, but give it a try.
Good luck!!
I try and watch meteror showers regularly, and sometimes I barely see the basic 10 per hr, but they are all beautiful. :)

... have just had a peek outside for 20 minutes and didnt see any!!! Might try later, or leave it for tomorrow night when should be better ... hoping.

[erick]

Re Geminids from Central Melbourne and Andromeda from Sydney's Northern Beaches. Sorry guys, sky will be too bright. Drive about 100km from the outskirts to get skies dark enough. Sorry.

[Protiotype]

Hi all, here's another post I like by Ian Musgrave (who also writes Southern Sky Watch linked in the second post of this thread).

http://astroblogger.blogspot.com/2009/12/geminid-meteor-shower-13-14-december.html

Be sure to click through to NASA's "fluxtimator" - it's quite an intuitive tool to give you a rough idea of how many meteors to expect (don't forget to set it to 2009).

Right now in Brisbane, the weather is more oppressing/humid than (Far/) North Queensland with the forecast threatening to clash with tonight. Either it will rain, or I'll probably still give it a go with cloud (just like I did for the Leonids last month (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=52400), which wasn't bad in the end given the circumstances).

*Note to self: One can never carry enough mozzie repellent!*

[Protiotype]

I think being higher could actually worsen views if city/street glare is directly in your eyes - I guess it might also be better than seeing no sky at all if you're walled in on the ground. Currently in the suburbs of Brisbane, I tend to find areas with trees (that block cars/lamps) rather than lookouts.

For what it's worth, Gemini will be near its highest point from the horizon at around 2am (I believe Stellarium takes daylight savings into account, just as the sky map at www.heavens-above.com does) - and much closer to North than East, and 20 degrees above the horizon (measure out an open handspan at arm's length above the horizon). Don't worry if you can't remember every detail exactly, just wear enough insect repellent and look in the general direction for a good length of time while your eyes adapt to the dark. :)

The meteor flux estimator (http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/estimator.html) I alluded to in my previous post should be a good indicator for how many you might be able to see (don't forget to set it to 2009).

[Blue Skies]

Was out observing them last night and the best ones were on the opposite side of the sky to the radiant! That sometimes happens. Were plenty of good sporadics around as well. Was a little disappointed with the rates but they were flying and hopefully they'll put on a good show for anyone watching tonight (looks like we'll be clouded out here in Perth).

[rogerg]

Some pics of the geminids from WA (only a few meteors, not much):

http://www.rogergroom.com/items/aswa_tammin_geminids_meteor_shower_ 09

I was hoping for more meteors but it still was probably the best I have seen of a predicted meteor shower, considering all the others I've ever tried to photography have been clouded out :lol:

[Garyh]

Been looking forwards to the Geminids peak but looks like we shall be clouded out tonight..bummer
Clouded out last year as well.

[Liz]

Well done Roger :thumbsup::thumbsup: .. its always hard to capture meteors, which always seem to be flashing across the sky in a position where the camera was pointed at 5 minutes previous.
Fingers crossed for minimal cloud when I set my alarm for 0200 ;)

[mithrandir]

After being 28-32 C and clear sky all day it is now totally overcast and there is a fine drizzle.

There's always next year, but for then the days around 13 Dec have 40-50% moon.

[Liz]

Now 80% clouded at 10pm .....
Having a laugh watcing 'Little Miss Sunshine' ...... try again in awhile.

[Shep]

I just finished up watching, I'd been out maybe an hour and luckily there werent any clouds for that time although theyve just started rolling over now. I didnt have a completely clear view of the sky thanks to palm trees and houses but still I counted about 30 in that hour. I'd love to stay out longer but my neck is already had it :( The very first one I saw was brilliant, it had the best tail and lasted about 2 seconds, I almost thought thy'd all look like that seeming as this is my first ever viewing but the rest all just looked like shooting stars.

[Liz]

Well done Sarah :)
I have been out for about 3 1/2 hrs - have seen quite a few short white Geminids, prob average of 15 hr. Was hoping for more. Were quite a few clouds at times, tho sometimes fairly clear.
Best I saw was beauty that slowly 'fell' thru Gemini iself, tho not a Geminid. Took quite a few pics but dont think I snaggled many.
Time to hit the sack :zzz2:

[Protiotype]

Managed a total of about 3 meteors tonight viewing from around 15:30Z to 17:00Z in addition to one at 15:05Z when I stepped outside to check the clouds for half a minute.

Very difficult conditions in Brisbane with cloud 50-80% coverage at any time. Even a brief isolated shower started on me but I persisted and kept on applying the mozzie spray. The best one appeared to come from Canis Minor and passed between Canis Major / Orion (roughly -2 magnitude) near 16:53Z - I'll have to accept that as a partial success. :)

[ian musgrave]

Saw some nice ones this morning from 2-3 am (Monday 14) I've put up my Geminid meteor observing experiences here (http://astroblogger.blogspot.com/2009/12/geminid-report-monday-14-december-2009.html) and here (http://astroblogger.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-sunday-geminids.html).

[michaellxv]

I only managed about 4 or 5 in the hour I was out. Was hoping for a few more.:shrug:

[Crackers]

Went outside at midnight, we had a beautiful, crystal clear sky from horizon to horizon and saw 2 Geminids in about 10 minutes. Was going to get the telescope out while waiting for the peak, but was a bit dewey so went back inside. Went back out at 12:45 and there was a horrible haze that just kept getting thicker. Saw another 3 through the haze, but it was very disappointing as it was looking like being a good event.:mad2:

[Vartigy]

Yeah we had clear skies too... except for a strange haze.
Only got to see 3 in 20 minutes.

[swannies1983]

Saw a total of 29 Geminids between 3.15 and 4.50 here in Adelaide

[trent_julie]

Is too late for the Geminids?
I've heard a large range of variables so far so I feel slightly confused about the entire thing.

Cheers

Trent and Julie

[Liz]

The peak was supposedly this am after 0200 (for Aus) .... but they say with The Geminids, that they are good the day before and after as well, so certainly worth a look :)

[Garyh]

Looking at other sites, the actual peak would be around 3pm EST today, well now if you were in the right place on this planet! Could be worth a look tonight before the rates drop off to much!
Did manage a good hour last night through a break in the clouds/smoke and we counted around 20 but some were sporadic ones. only 2 brightish ones that left a short lived trail.
Will try tonight fingers crossed!

[Outbackmanyep]

The peak is around 4:10pm (AEDST), but im buggered with all the smoke and cloud etc
F it.

[Garyh]

Well wasn`t too far off.;) Yes same here with the smoke and cloud at the moment, wish we get some rain and put out these bushfires! Some have been burning for nearly a month now..cough cough.

[Outbackmanyep]

I wish it'd rain! Just to get rid of the fires and then the cloud can bugger off! lol

Hope you're having better luck in the land of the beardies! :thumbsup:

[swannies1983]

Looks to be clear again tonight so I might go out tomorrow morning.

[erick]

I'm going out tonight. Tell you tomorrow how I went. Packing the car now....... :)

[edwardsdj]

Hi All,

I haven't posted in a while but I love Geminids meteors so I just had to make a brief report.

Due to the cloud in Brisbane on the night of the 13th, I didn't drive to a dark site.

I observed through the gaps in the clouds from my light polluted house in Chapel Hill from midnight until 2am.

I only saw six Geminids and one sporadic in this time.

Hopefully the clouds will clear tonight and the rates will be better.

Wishing everyone happy Geminids watching tonight :)

Take care,
Doug

[edwardsdj]

It's very cloudy here in Brisbane at the moment.

I might catch some sleep if I still can't see any stars by midnight :(

Hope others are having better luck with the weather tonight than me.

[swannies1983]

Certainly not as many tonight with only 12 spotted between 2.15-4.00. Off to bed I think!

[Nightskystargaz]

Keenan,

We are clouded out over here, and they say for the next couple of days, so the peak will be gone.

:thanx:,

Tom

[erick]

Weather forecast was cloudy until midnight, clear until dawn, cloudy again.

Actual was clear until 1am, heavy to sporadic cloud until 3:45, clear until 30 min before dawn, then cloudy!

So my best times for viewing were poor. I actually snoozed when the cloud cover looked to be worsening.

But I did see probably 20+ Geminids over the entire period plus sporadics. Some nice and bright. Had the camera clicking away taking 28 sec exposures every 1 min 10 sec over some six hours. I tried different directions. In 342 exposures I have....... wait for it...... 1 Geminid (and many aircraft!).

Have attached the Geminid image I captured. In this case, I had Castor and Pollux in the frame. Almost headon meteors are slow and bright.

I'll have a better search of the other frames later.

[jjjnettie]

It was totally clouded out in SEQ.
Glad some of you got out for a look see.

[Liz]

.... 342 images and 1 meteor ..... I took 178 pics and no meteors!!!
Cloudy here last night though.

[seanliddelow]

I had clear skies last night, although I didnt count the Gemenids and I saw a lot of sporadics. My estimates put it at 30+ an hour although we werent looking at all parts of the skies.

The highlight of the evening was a bright Gemenid which took about 7 seconds to go across the whole sky and it left a long smoky trail from horizon to horizon. I reckon that some of its micriscopic fragments may have made it to Earth.

[erick]

Another one! Through Orion, and in a gap in the clouds. :)

Sorry for image - I have a fisheye attachment screwed to a 28mm file lens on a DSLR. Err - it doesn't work! :ashamed:

[rogerg]

Good to hear you had some success Sean :thumbsup:



Nice captures! bright ones. what f-stop?

[erick]

Wide open - 2.8 I think. (ISO 800) Do you think shutting it down might improve the outer part of the image, Roger? I don't think it did when I tried some daytime experiments.

Still, it was just a cheap experiment. I should really buy a proper Pentax fisheye for the K100D - if I get serious and rich! (Actually I want a good Pentax zoom first - the 18-55mm I think.)

[Coen]

Went out last night with my daughter at bit after 2am to find clear skies.

We saw a number of "falling stars" but only 2 Geminids over about 15min before she decided to head back into bed.

I stayed a little longer and saw a few more, however the random ones outnumbered the Geminids.

If I had stayed the hour (instead of 30min or so) I suspect would have seen between 12 and 15 i.e. ZHR of 12 to 15.

[rogerg]

Stopping it down from F/2.8 should improve the image quality, but I found when trying to photograph the Geminids on Saturday night that I needed F/2.8 just to capture any, there were several that I saw but didn't capture when at F/4. So I think you're best to stick to F/2.8 :)

Successful experiment I think :)

[erick]

Not sure. The image I put in the earlier post was shot with the fish-eye attachment removed - the film 28mm lens only. Not a bad image for the equipment and much better than with the fish-eye attached. Even if I crop what is not distorted (as in stars stretched into a line), the centre of the image is much poorer in quality. But I did the the attachment specifically to capture meteors. I'll make a movie of the aircraft transits and post it - quite amusing, the "curves" they fly!

[gaa_ian]

Another very successful meteor Shower viewing session up here in Gove.
After what looked like being a totally clouded out session, the skies cleared completly at about 11pm.
I was able to view from out dark "Meteor Site" just 5 minutes from town.
Saw aprox 75/hr between 11:45 and 12:45.
Some very impressive and bright, with the majority being fainter.
Was pleased that 3 others (Sue, Dolina & Jason) joined me based on my comments in passing a week ago, about going out for a look on Mon the 14th.
Certainly the biggest shower of the year and one that we were only able to see with TC Laurance drawing away all the wet season weather from our part of the NT.

[erick]

Lucky northerners! :) Does the radiant rise well to the east for you, Ian? (too lazy to check software :thanx: )

[digitalplankton]

I went up to a small beach in between cairns and port douglas on sunday night, with no light pollution.. just as we arived the cloud rolled in with a bit of rain, and 10 mins later it completely cleared..

set up a matress and stereo and saw around 100 from 1230 till 3am.. there was one massive one around 230am that really flared out..

was quite happy with our viewing!

i took a whole bunch of photo's but havent reviewed them yet..

did anyone get up and have a look monday night?

[gaa_ian]

The advantage here is the height of Gemini above the northern horizon, given out latitude.
Quite clear viewing at midnight.

[Outbackmanyep]

Bloody rained this morning, but i guess we need it......

[erick]

Just starting to wonder if this was a satellite? I started seeing some by eye some time after this image was taken. but mostly further east. I'll have a closer look.