When and Where to See the December Geminid Meteor Shower in Oklahoma
Technically, we're in the middle of a month-long meteor shower here on Earth, but the prime time for Oklahoma to spot this wonder of the universe is coming up quick.
The best days to spot this event is predicted to be on December 13th and 14th soon after the sun goes down.
@museumofscience Over 100 shooting stars per hour are set to dazzle the night sky globally, marking the grand arrival of the Geminid Meteor Shower! Peaking on December 13th and 14th, this annual event is caused by Earth passing through the debris trail left by asteroid 3200 Phaethon. A waxing crescent moon on the peak nights ensures optimal darkness for sky gazers to enjoy the show! #Space #Meteor #Asteroid #Astronomy #MeteorShower #SkyGazing ♬ original sound - Museum of Science
Specifically, according to EarthSky.org, the best opportunity we'll have to see something spectacular is around 7:30 PM on the 14th, but the shower will be around through Christmas Eve.
Where is the best place to see them?
Here's the cool thing, you should be able to see them from your own backyard... it just won't be as vibrant. This is especially true if you live in one of the major population centers like the OKC and Tulsa metro. Light pollution just works out like that.
To really see the sky light up, you want to seek out less populated areas of Oklahoma. I can remember watching one of these meteor showers sitting on a tractor at the family farm when I was a teen. It was ten miles or so north of Hollis, way out in the middle of nowhere where the Milky Way shines bright all summer long anyway.
I'd assume you could find a rural place to catch the show yourself, especially as you head to the Western side of the state.
If you really want to go all-out, the panhandle is where the best stargazing is found in the Sooner State. While there are several state parks out there to see the heavens from, Black Mesa is the king of the hill in this case.
@billyengel Oklahoma views👌 #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #oklahoma #blackmesa ♬ Dreams (2004 Remaster) - Fleetwood Mac
'The Mesa' is far from anywhere, pitch black on a moonless night, and a prime spot for professionals and amateurs alike to grab some stellar astrological views... Just don't get caught speeding out there. They take that stuff seriously in No Man's Land.
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