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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 3044      2014 Dec 11 13.20UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074
INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK      Backup: gmh@wdcc1.bnsc.rl.ac.uk
WORLD WIDE WEB                         http://www.theastronomer.org
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GEMINIDS: MAX Dec 14 11H UT
Geminid activity is apparent to visual observers from Dec 7-16, with the
best rates likely to be seen during the night of Dec 13-14 (Sat-Sun). The
Geminids are the shower that produce the highest reliable rates year on year
and only lose out in popularity to the Perseids due to the colder December
nights. Results from recent years have shown the peak ZHR to be over 100 and
to remain above 70 per hour for about 24 hours - and the shower's profile is
evolving from year to year. 

The Geminids are rich in bright meteors but, being associated with a rocky
asteroid 3200 Phaethon rather than an icy comet, produce few trained
meteors. There seems to be a tendency for fainter Geminid meteors to peak
earlier than brighter meteors. The radiant is highest in the sky at about
02h local time and for observers at northern temperate latitudes is above
the horizon all night.
Moonlight conditions are fairly favourable for the Geminids in 2014. Full
Moon occurs on Dec 6 and so moonlight will hinder observations of the rise
to maximum. However, with Last Quarter occurring on Dec 14, observers on the
night of Geminid maximum will enjoy moon-free evening skies but will suffer
some moonlight interference after midnight. The impact of the moonlight can
of course be reduced by observing with your back to the Moon. 
(Tony Markham, extract from TA WWW).

Guy M Hurst