Thursday, January 3, 2013
The first meteor shower of 2013 is taking place this week.
The Quadrantid meteor shower is named for an extinct constellation, but the shooting stars that seem to sprout from it still arrive yearly, and the opening of the 2013 show began overnight Jan. 1, into Jan. 2. But the heavenly show peaks in the wee hours Friday, Jan. 4, amid a Roswell sky that should be clearing after partly cloudy conditions through much of Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. The Quadrantids is one of the lesser-known meteor showers of the year, but that doesn't mean it's anything less than spectacular. Take a look at this Quadrantids meteor shower video or these pictures of the Quadrantids. While the shower begins overnight on the first day of the new year, NASA tells us the Quadrantid meteor shower …
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
The most reliable meteor shower of the year, the Geminids, is on its way – make plans to enjoy the light show in Roswell.
The Geminid meteor shower 2012, the final major meteor shower of every year and likely to be the best, peaks overnight Dec. 13 until dawn on Dec. 14. If you liked the Perseids meteor shower 2012 in August, you should love this show. NASA reports that the Geminids are a relatively young meteor shower, with the first sightings occurring in the 1830s with rates of about 20 per hour. Over the decades the rates have increased, regularly spawning between 80 and 120 per hour at its peak on a clear evening. How spectacular is it? Just take a look at some spectacular photos of the Geminids. Earthsky.org reports the Geminids peak might be around 2 a.m. on Dec. 13, because that’s when the shower’s radiant point is highest in the sky as seen around …
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Leonid Meteor Showers are fast and bright and will appear to radiate from the constellation Leo the Lion in the pre-dawn hours of Nov. 17.
As you begin hanging holiday lights, cast your gaze upon the universe's natural fireworks, as well. Astronomers anticipate several meteor showers to take place over the next month. Nov. 17: Leonid Meteor Shower Dec. 13: Geminid Meteor Shower Be sure to schedule a night this season to bundle up with some blankets, hot chocolate, and enjoy the light show in the sky. Don't have access to a telescope? The North Georgia College & State University’s Coleman Planetarium in Dahlonega invites you and your family for star gazing. Check out the fall schedule featuring "Public Education Nights" on most Fridays at 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Roswell viewers should be able to observe around 80 "shooting stars" per hour during this year's Perseid Meteor Shower.
The Perseid Meteor shower has some added bonuses this year: it will occur on a night when the moon is in its waning crescent phase, which means the moonlight won't interfere with your view of the dashing meteors, according to Astronomy.com. And it's on a Saturday night, which means people can stay up late and sleep in the next day. You don't even need a telescope. Just spread out a blanket, maybe a late-night picnic, kick back and enjoy! Perseid Meteor Trivia: Where to view: Will you be watching the Perseid Meteor shower? If so, tell us why in comments and if you snap a photo, e-mail it to christine.foster@patch.com or upload it to the Patch Pics and Clips page.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Scientists are predicting the first meteor shower of 2012 to take place during the wee hours of tomorrow morning, Wednesday, January 4.
Experts say we should be able to view the spectacular annual Quadrantid shower fairly well here in the Atlanta metro area, sometime between 3 a.m. and dawn. Find more information on the shower at EarthSky.org.
