MUSCAT : Observers are expected to enjoy excellent viewing conditions during the hours before moonrise.

Qasim bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Head of the Meteorology and Astronomy Photography Committee at the Omani Society for Astronomy and Space, said that forecasts indicate this year’s Geminid meteor shower may be among the best in recent years. “The moon will be in its last quarter phase with about 40 percent illumination, allowing for darker skies prior to its rise at 12:50 am. The Geminid shower is known for its abundance and clear trajectories, with theoretical ideal rates reaching around 120 meteors per hour. The meteors typically appear in yellow and green hues due to the burning of elements such as magnesium and sodium in the atmosphere,” he explained.

Al Busaidi added that studies published in 2024 and 2025, using data from the James Webb Space Telescope and Japan’s DESTINY mission, revealed that the asteroid 3200 Phaethon contains sodium gas that vaporises in large quantities as it approaches the Sun. This process releases the dust particles responsible for producing the Geminid meteors and explains their distinctive yellow-green glow compared to other meteor showers. He noted that Geminid meteors appear relatively slow because they enter Earth’s atmosphere at approximately 35 kilometres per second, creating long arcs that may last up to two seconds before fading at altitudes between 70 and 100 kilometres.

He further explained that the Geminid radiant rises gradually in the constellation Gemini throughout the night, creating a unique phenomenon between 1 am and 4 am. During this period, very long meteors – known as ‘Earth-grazers’ – may be seen sweeping across the entire horizon. These events are considered among the most striking features of the Geminid shower due to their extended paths along the atmosphere before the radiant climbs higher in the sky.

In addition to the Geminids, several prominent celestial objects will also be visible, including the stars Regulus, Sirius, Aldebaran, Capella, the stars of Gemini and Taurus, and the Pleiades cluster. Some planets will also be observable, each with different colours and brightness. Venus will appear as the brightest object after the Sun and the Moon, followed by Jupiter, which appears smaller despite its large size due to its greater distance from the Sun. Saturn will also be visible as a bright, golden object known for its iconic rings.

Regarding optimal viewing, Al Busaidi advised: “Observers should head to dark locations away from light pollution or obstructions such as tall trees, and look toward the eastern horizon before dawn.” He emphasised that the event presents an excellent opportunity for amateur astrophotographers to capture striking images of Geminid meteors alongside other celestial objects. He also noted that this phenomenon can be enjoyed with the naked eye, without the need for specialised equipment.

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