Muscat: Despite the challenge posed by a full moon, stargazers can witness one of the most stunning meteor displays of the year.
Rayan bint Saeed Al-Ruwaishdi, a member of the Omani Astronomical Society, told the Oman News Agency that the Geminids, named after the Gemini constellation, are renowned for their brightness and vibrant colors. However, this year’s full moon coinciding with the peak activity could obscure fainter meteors.
The Geminid meteor shower originates from debris shed by asteroid 3200 Phaethon, discovered in 1983 via the Infrared Survey Satellite (IRAS). This asteroid, measuring 5.8 kilometers in diameter, is pivotal in understanding this unique meteor shower. As the Earth’s orbit intersects with the asteroid’s remnants, these fragments enter the atmosphere at speeds of 35 kilometers per second, burning up to create dazzling arcs of yellow, green, or blue light.
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Al-Ruwaishdi recounted that in 2020, members of the Omani Astronomical Society recorded 1,063 meteors during six hours of observation, with activity peaking at 227 meteors in a single hour. While this year’s visibility might be hindered, the shower’s vibrant displays still promise a memorable show.
Aside from the Geminids, Oman’s night sky offers a treat for astronomy enthusiasts. Bright stars such as Sirius, Aldebaran, and the Pleiades cluster will be visible alongside planets like Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn, each shining in distinctive colors.
For optimal viewing, Al-Ruwaishdi advises heading to a dark, light-pollution-free area with a clear eastern horizon, particularly in the pre-dawn hours.
