The most notable meteor shower in December is the Geminids, which often produce brilliant fireballs. Unlike most meteor showers which are associated with the path of a comet, the originator of the Geminids appears to be an asteroid. As the Moon is an 8-day old evening crescent at the time of maximum activity, observing conditions are favourable.
Another interesting shower is the Phoenicids. This shower appears to be subject to outbursts of intense activity followed by lengthy periods in which little activity is observed. On December 5 1956, observers in New Zealand, Australia, the Indian Ocean and South Africa saw about 100 meteors per hour, including very bright fireballs, arriving from the constellation of Phoenix. Since that time only a small number of meteors have been observed from this radiant. The cycle of activity of the Phoenicids is not known and another outburst could occur in any year.
On the chart below ZHR is the zenith hourly rate. This is the number of meteors visible to the unaided eye per hour to be expected when the radiant is at the zenith (directly overhead) at a dark sky site. This is an ideal situation, which is rarely achieved.
Shower Activity Maximum ZHR
Phoenicids 100*
Puppid-Velids 10
Leo Minorids 5
Geminids 120
Centaurids 6
* This is approximately the number of meteors seen in 1956. At other times the number is much lower.
Another interesting shower is the Phoenicids. This shower appears to be subject to outbursts of intense activity followed by lengthy periods in which little activity is observed. On December 5 1956, observers in New Zealand, Australia, the Indian Ocean and South Africa saw about 100 meteors per hour, including very bright fireballs, arriving from the constellation of Phoenix. Since that time only a small number of meteors have been observed from this radiant. The cycle of activity of the Phoenicids is not known and another outburst could occur in any year.
On the chart below ZHR is the zenith hourly rate. This is the number of meteors visible to the unaided eye per hour to be expected when the radiant is at the zenith (directly overhead) at a dark sky site. This is an ideal situation, which is rarely achieved.
Shower Activity Maximum ZHR
Phoenicids 100*
Puppid-Velids 10
Leo Minorids 5
Geminids 120
Centaurids 6
* This is approximately the number of meteors seen in 1956. At other times the number is much lower.
