On the night of Monday, December 13, the Geminid meteor shower will peak in the northern hemisphere (and in Greece), one of the most impressive of the year. The Geminid shower, which usually lasts from the 7th to the 17th of December, produce, together with the Perseids of August, the most impressive “falling stars” in the year.
Gemini is called by experts the “king” of meteor showers, as they can “produce” 60 to 120 bright and often colorful falling stars per hour, ie one to two per minute, at various points in the night sky and not just from a specific direction. Their meteors move relatively slowly in the sky, compared to other meteor showers, at a speed of about 35 kilometers per second, which makes them more spectacular (the Perseid meteors move at about twice the speed).
Geminids first appeared in 1862 and took their name from the constellation of Gemini, where they seem to come from. Unlike other meteor showers, their origin is not the tail of a comet, but rather the mysterious asteroid “3200 Phaethon”, discovered in 1982 by NASA and considered a former comet that lost its tail.
“Phaethon”, about five kilometers in diameter, follows a highly elliptical orbit, which almost every year and a half brings it closer to the Sun than any other known asteroid. The result is that, at regular intervals, it is heated by sunlight, as its surface temperature reaches 700 degrees Celsius. Thus, it produces new outflows of dust, the Twins, when these meteors enter and burn in the atmosphere of our planet.
On the evening of December 13, the moon will be more than 77% lit and already above the horizon as darkness falls. The moon will drift across the sky to the west over the course of the night, among the stars of Pisces, setting around 3 to 4 a.m. local time (the time on your clock wherever you are). This leaves a couple of hours of darkness before sunrise of good meteor viewing.
Latest News
Critical Week for Greece-Cyprus Cable
The study concluded that the social benefits of the interconnection, totaling 8 billion euros, far outweigh its 1.9 billion euros construction cost, resulting in a net social benefit exceeding 6 billion euros.
Roberta Metsola Re-elected President of European Parliament
Her second term will be for a period of two and a half years
ELSTAT: 1.5% Increase in Business Turnover in May 2024
The most significant increase in turnover in May 2024 compared with May 2023 was recorded from the enterprises of the Accommodation and Food Service Activities, sector which grew by 14.8%.
Cosco: Container Traffic Decline at Piraeus Port Continues
This strategic shift has diminished Piraeus's standing as a prominent Mediterranean port and a key transshipment hub post-Suez Canal.
Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates
According to reports, the government will resume an electricity subsidization program, given that forecasts cite disruptions – i.e. higher rates
ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock
The 6.3% rise in May 2024 is largely driven by an 8.8% increase in the crop output group, particularly due to changes in olive oil prices, and a 0.5% increase in the animal output group.
Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids
The surge in electricity demand during the heat wave and the power deficit in Balkan markets have driven up prices in the Greek wholesale electricity market.
Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists
Greece was selected by 5.9% of respondents who were asked where they would vacation this year, up from 5.4% in the same survey last year
Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive
The international ratings firm raised Greece to investment grade in early August 2023
First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros
After decades of on-again, off-again efforts to schedule regular seaplane routes to Greece's numerous island and coastal destinations the prospect now appears within sight