This weekend marks the beginning of two special galactic phenomena for stargazers in the form of the Leonids and Geminids showers. Astronomers and scientists help us better understand the phenomenon, and list out the best ways to observe them
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The months of November and December are a period of excitement for amateur astronomers and stargazers. Starting this weekend, the earth will begin to pass through the trajectory of two comets — Tempel-Tuttle (November 15 to November 20) and the Halley’s Comet (December 4 to December 20). We speak to astronomers and stargazers to understand the right way to catch these phenomena.
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Geminids are the ’ole faithful
Arvind Paranjpye, director, Nehru Planetarium
For a meteor shower to take place, two things need to happen. One, the earth’s orbit needs to intersect with the orbital path of the comet or asteroid that is orbiting the sun. Two, their debris has to burn up in the atmosphere which causes the bright showers. The Leonids and the Geminids are two occasions when you see a large number of meteors coming from the radiant of the shower. Personally, I would advise people to focus on the Geminids. The Leonids are often visible at the rate of 60 meteors in an hour, if that many. A meteor a minute might seem a lot, but in the larger context, it can be slow viewing. Geminids are the ’ole faithful — named so because it faithfully repeats every year. The shower is caused by the debris of the famous Halley’s Comet that shows up every 76 years. They are one of the best phenomena that can be observed by the naked eye.
Time it right
Umesh Ghude, founder, Amateur Astronomy Club
Meteor showers are actually quite common all year round. But it is rare for any of us to observe it with our naked eye, especially in a city or urban space. The Leonids or the Geminids are named so because they originate from the direction of the constellations Leo and Gemini. The former, in fact, is the dust particle or debris remnant of the Tempel-Tuttle comet which orbits around the sun. While it is an annual phenomenon, this year is expected to be brighter. We hope to see a better shower than before. The Geminids are always the brighter of the two. They are larger, and more of a spectacle.
Escape the city
Mihir Gilbile, senior stargazing professional, Horizon Astronomy Society
Every year, the Earth passes through the orbits of these two meteors. There are also the Ursids, Taurids and Orionids that happen. But they are not as radiant or bright. Yet, one must remember that these showers are a natural occurrence. There is no predictable range or number of meteors that you can expect. People are often disappointed when they do not see meteor showers explode in the night sky. There is a lot more to observe on such trips. For instance, meteors move with the earth’s rotation during the evening, and against it during the early hours of the morning.
Tips for stargazers
1 Move away from cities. Summits of forts or banks of large water bodies are apt locations
2 Be well rested and comfortable. Experience the whole phenomenon
3 Avoid coffee to stay alert
4 There is more to observing the stars than just meteors. Pose questions to your guide to know more about the occurrence
To watch the Geminids shower
>> Amateur Astronomy Club
ON December 14
At Naneghat village, near Junnar.
Log on to: amateurastroclub.in
Call: 986761731 for details
Cost: Rs 2,000 onwards (homestay and stargazing included)
>> Stargazing Mumbai
ON December 14; December 15
AT Dehene village, near Asangaon.
Log on to: stargazingmumbai.in
Call: 9112662662
Cost: Rs 2,099 per person
To watch the Leonids shower
>> Infinite.AU
ON November 18
AT Bhandardara lakeside
Log on to: infiniteau.in
Call: 8799392974
Cost: Rs 1,899
>> Trekkers United
ON November 18 and November 19
Meeting time: 3 pm
Meeting point: Kasara station
Log on to: @trekkers.united
Call: 7710963353
Cost: Rs 1,900 (stay and food included)
>> Horizon Astronomical Society
ON November 18; November 25
AT Horizon Astronomical Society, Vangani.
Meeting time: 3.55 pm
Meeting point: Karjat railway station
Log on to: @horizonastrosociety
Call: 8169167678
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