Geminids To Light Up Hyderabad Sky on Dec 13–14

Hyderabad: The Geminids meteor shower is all set to peak over the city on the night of December 13 and into the early hours of December 14, which skywatchers expect to be one of the year’s brightest natural shows. Known for its reliability, the shower can produce from dozens to over 100 meteors an hour under ideal conditions.

City light pollution will reduce the number that is visible, but the Geminids remain strong enough to be visible even when the sky isn’t perfectly dark, enthusiast and engineer Abraham Dasari said.

Local astronomy groups and casual enthusiasts are checking spots on the outskirts where the sky opens up beyond streetlights and high-rises. Many expect small gatherings on open grounds and stretches near the Outer Ring Road, with people braving the cold for a better view.

The Geminids appear every December as Earth crosses debris from ‘3200 Phaethon’, a rare rocky object sometimes called a “rock comet”. “When fragments enter the atmosphere at high speed, they burn up and create bright streaks of light that often appear white or yellow. Though the meteors seem to originate from the Gemini constellation, they can flash across any part of the sky,” Dasari explained.

The best viewing window for Hyderabad will be midnight to 4 am, when the radiant climbs higher and the meteor rate increases. “Allowing 15 to 20 minutes for the eyes to adjust improves visibility, especially for fainter streaks. Those who watch from within the city may catch fewer meteors, but brighter streaks are still expected to cut through haze and diffused light,” Dr Sarupchand Vyas, physics faculty at private college in the city, told Deccan Chronicle.

With no equipment needed, the Geminids remain one of the easiest sky events for beginners. For many in Hyderabad, the shower offers a rare chance to step outside familiar routines, find a darker patch of sky, and watch shooting stars appear every few minutes through the night.