With summer comes those warm nights that enable us to spend hours under the stars in comfort. There is one major meteor shower and one ‘brightish’ comet that is a binocular target in December.

From the International Meteor Organisation (IMO): https://www.imo.net/resources/calendar/

The Geminids: (GEM)

Active from December 4th to December 20th, 2022.

The Geminids are usually the strongest meteor shower of the year and meteor enthusiasts are certain to circle December 13 and 14 on their calendars. The Geminids are often bright and intensely coloured. Due to their medium-slow velocity, persistent trains are not usually seen. These meteors are also seen in the southern hemisphere, but only during the middle of the night and at a reduced rate.

Shower details - Radiant: 07h28m +32.2°. Hourly rate: ~10-20 (from NZ) - Velocity: medium, 35km/sec - Parent Object: 3200 Phaethon (asteroid)

Next Peak - The Geminids will next peak on the Dec 13-14, 2022 night. On this night, the moon will be 72% full.

Comet PANSTARRS (C/2017 K2):

C/2017 K2 is currently in our southern skies and is slowly getting brighter. It should be brightest around mid-January 2023 when it is circumpolar from New Zealand (i.e., it won't set all night-time). It probably won't become visible to the naked eye, so it requires good binoculars or a telescope. The ephemerides from GUIDE software are below, note that the magnitude is a very rough estimate. As at mid-November 2022 the comet is about magnitude 7.5. 

More information about brighter southern comets can be found on Seichi Yoshida's comet page:

http://aerith.net/comet/future-s.html

John Drummond

RASNZ Comet and Meteor Section Director

Article added: Monday 14 November 2022