Go sky gazing this weekend in Mumbai to discover the Geminids meteor shower

A view of the Geminids meteor shower from 2024. A bright meteorite trail can be observed at the centre. PICS COURTESY/MIHIR GILBILE

Heads up: We think you might be in for a rough patch this weekend. More on that from mid-day's astrology expert Shirley Bose a few pages later. For now, we're talking about the Earth passing through the rocky debris of the 3200 Phaethon asteroid on December 12 and 13. As the rocky bits enter our atmosphere at high speeds and burn bright, make sure you're looking up to spot the famed ‘shooting stars'.

Braving the dark and the dropping temperatures, a group of enthusiasts will camp in Bhandardara with the Horizon Astronomical Society to witness one of the largest meteor showers of the year. Founder Mihir Gilbile, who has a specialisation in Astronomy from Mumbai University, will helm the exploration. Geminids, he says, are often incorrectly attributed to the Gemini constellation. "The constellation only serves as a point of reference. If you're skygazing solo, look for the famous twin stick figure shape right above your head, to observe the apparent origin point [also known as the Radiant]," he suggests.

A participant looks through a telescope at a previous skygazing event

If you're up for the astronomical adventure, reach there well-rested. Meteor showers are best viewed in dark skies late into the night. "Given the Earth's rotation and the position of the asteroid debris, the ideal time to view the streaks is closer to the break of dawn, all the way up to 4 am," Gilbile informs. While the showers can be viewed by the naked eye, the team will bring special Newtonian telescopes with 12-inch mirrors for a closer look.

Mihir Gilbile

If all that science talk threw you off, don't fret. A briefing session at the campsite will give participants a quick refresher in cosmology, astronomy and space science before the big display. "Participants are then advised to lie down in a supine position to view the showers. If you live in the far suburbs of Mumbai like Kalyan, you have a better chance of seeing the shower. Ensure you pick a spot that is away from man-made artificial lighting emitted from buildings," the expert reveals.

This stardust obsession is slowly pushing astronomers like Gilbile further away from the city, we learn. "The AQI woes are not recent. I can remember smog becoming a cause for concern as early as 2018. Any rise above 150 AQI diminishes our chances for a successful sighting," he reveals. We know what we're wishing for when we see a shooting star this weekend.

ON December 12 and 13
MEETING POINT Pick-up from Kasara railway station and spots across Mumbai on request
LOG ON TO @horizonastrosociety
ENTRY Rs 1,999 onwards (includes tent, telescope, and dinner)

What's the hype?

Most meteor showers, including the recent Leonids last November, originate from comets (dust and ice). The Geminids originate from the rocky asteroid: 3200 Phaethon. NASA reports state that the debris that breaks off to form the Geminids meteoroids are many times denser than cometary dust flakes.

Dibs? Not yet

Ever wondered what happens if you get your hands on a meteorite? In rare cases, small stray pieces survive the Earth's atmosphere, and may land in remote areas. While it remains a legal grey area because of the slim chances, the Geological Survey of India is the sole custodian of all meteorites on Indian soil, and advises citizens to report and hand over any finds.

Sky on your fingertips

Use apps like Stellarium or Sky Map that help you decide where to look in the night sky on your first exploration.
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