Explanation:
The Geminids are expected
to put on a good show this year.
Created as planet Earth sweeps through dusty debris from extinct
comet Phaethon, the annual
Geminid meteor shower is predicted to peak
on December 14th, around 0510 UT (12:10am EST).
With better
viewing for northern hemisphere observers, pictures
of Geminids streaking through the night could include
wintery landscapes, like this snow-tinged image of a 2007
Geminid meteor over buttes of the
Monument Valley region
in the southwestern US.
The meteor streak points back to the constellation Gemini and
the shower's radiant point,
just off the upper left edge of the scene.
Along with Rigel, the sword and belt
stars of Orion are at the
upper right.
Near the eastern horizon
are bright stars Procyon (left) and Sirius.
The two buttes at the far left are known as The Mittens -
clearly a reminder that if you want to watch a meteor shower on a cold
December night, wearing mittens would be a good idea.
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