Phaethon: The Cosmic Rockstar Behind the Geminid Meteor Shower

Ah, December—the month of festive cheer, cozy nights by the fire, and the one time of year when fleeting streaks of light paint the night sky like a celestial fireworks show.

But have you ever wondered where those shooting stars come from? Buckle up, star-gazers, as we embark on a journey to discover 3200 Phaethon, the near-Earth asteroid that serves as the headliner for the annual Geminid meteor shower!

Now, let’s set the scene with a little celestial trivia. While most meteor showers owe their lineage to comets—those fluffy, icy snowballs of the cosmos—3200 Phaethon is a bona fide asteroid strutting its rocky stuff. With a snappy 1.4-year orbital period, this asteroid is basically the Usain Bolt of the asteroid belt, zipping through its elliptical path like it’s late for a cosmic brunch. Its closest approach to the Sun (a rather toasty soirée known as perihelion) occurs well within Mercury’s orbit. In simpler terms, Phaethon gets to enjoy a sunbathing session hotter than your average beach-goer, which perhaps explains its dry and rocky demeanor.

Let’s rewind to 2017, shall we? December 13th—a date that should be etched in your celestial calendar. Picture this: telescopes trained at the heroic constellation Perseus, ready to capture this asteroid’s rapid dance across the night sky. And what a performance it was! The asteroid’s swift motions left a short trail, while its meteoric offspring streaked by at lightning speed, dazzling all fortunate enough to sit back and watch the cosmic family reunion. It was a true “meteor shower meet and greet,” and let me tell you, the Phaethon clan knows how to make an entrance!

Fast forward to this year, and mark your calendars: December 13th again promises to bring the peak of the Geminids. However, this year’s show might feel a bit like watching fireworks while trying to find a good Wi-Fi signal—the nearly full moon will have the audacity to shine brightly overhead, washing out our faint celestial friends. In a cosmic twist, it seems even the moon couldn’t resist stealing the spotlight. Talk about a diva move!

As we prepare to engage in this year’s celestial spectacle, remember to spare a thought for 3200 Phaethon and its meteoric offspring, reminding us all that even in the vastness of space, family ties can lead to some pretty dazzling displays. So this December, wrap up warm, grab a cozy blanket, maybe a hot cocoa or two, and prepare for a night under the stars (even if they are playing hide-and-seek with the moon). Happy stargazing, everyone—may your wishes come true with every shooting star!
Image via NASA https://ift.tt/ZpwYQjk