Once a year, Earth passes through the left overs of asteroid 3200 Phaethon and we get a little late night light show in the sky. Instead of the normal meteor showers that are caused by comets (ice chunks), this one is a little strange because it's caused by an asteroid (heated chunks). This annual end-of-the-year shooting star party (called the Geminids) is supposed to be pretty kick ass this time around. The Moon just so happens to be at the beginning of his orbital cycle, so his normal handsome glow is dimmed for the show making it way easier for us to view. We're also possibly going to pass through the comet Wirtanen and if that happens, it's going to produce a second simultaneous meteor shower.
Let's do the math here:
Meteor Shower #1 + Meteor Shower #2 - glow from Mr. Moon = Over 100 visible shooting stars an hour
I know I'm a nerd about the sky, but come on! How cool is that?!
Get a million blankets, go somewhere far away from city lights with a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee or whiskey or whatever keeps you warm, wait half an hour for your eyes to fully adjust to the dark, and go check out some spacey entertainment! Peak time is supposed to be between midnight and 5am, so 3ish will most likely be your best bet.
Anyway.
Not much else going on here at our house to report. We're counting down the days for our 2 big events with a couple of new advent calendars.
One is for Santa.
Duh.
"Santa's beard is very bare. On his chin there is no hair!
So each day add a puff of white, and when it's full he'll come that night!"
The second is for Disneyland!
Kalynn's 3rd birthday is coming up quick and the countdown to California has officially begun. We take a ring from the Mickey chain every morning!
I hope all is well with everyone and that nobody is stressing out too hard for the holiday season!
Happy star gazing!
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