Geminid meteor shower and new comet-linked display to illuminate December night sky - Times of India
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In a celestial spectacle set to unfold on the night of December 14, sky gazers are in for a rare double treat as the annual Geminid meteor shower reaches its peak, coinciding with the unexpected debut of a new meteor shower associated with comet 46P/Wirtanen. A recent study by a team of international researchers revealed that the debris stream from 46P/Wirtanen, formed during an extra-close encounter with Jupiter half a century ago, is intersecting Earth 's path, creating what could be the first-ever meteor shower from this comet. The comet, known for its "Christmas Comet" display in 2018, has historically failed to produce significant shooting stars despite close encounters. However, this year, Earth is expected to intercept a denser region of the comet cloud, potentially resulting in a unique and fascinating meteor shower. Unlike the Geminids, which are known for their reliability and high meteor count, the new shower is estimated to peak at a modest two t...