Winter Wonderland: Meteor Showers, Super Moon, and Orion's Return
December is set to be a spectacular month in the skies above New York City. On tap are not one but two meteor showers that promise to put on an incredible light show.
The Geminids, considered by many as one of the best meteor showers of the year, will streak across the night sky from December 7-17, with its peak on the nights of December 13 and 14. A whopping 120-150 shooting stars are expected each hour, making for a dazzling display that is sure to leave even the most seasoned stargazers in awe.
And if that's not enough, the Geminids will be followed by the Ursids meteor shower from December 17 through Christmas. Although it may not reach the same heights as its predecessor, the Ursids still promise to deliver some impressive streaks of light across the sky.
But the real stars of the show are the celestial bodies themselves - a super moon that will rise on December 4, making the year's last full moon appear about 10% bigger and brighter. Although it may be less than ideal viewing conditions due to its proximity to Earth, this lunar event is sure to captivate all who witness it.
And then there's Orion, the Hunter, whose majestic presence will herald the arrival of winter in the night sky. Its distinctive three-star belt - Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka - is an easy sight for anyone willing to take a moment to gaze upwards. Be sure to look out for Betelgeuse and Rigel, two stars that form part of this stellar showpiece.
While urban light pollution may limit visibility in city parks like Inwood Hill Park, those venturing further afield will have the chance to see the Orion Nebula Cluster up close - a vast expanse of starry beauty that is simply breathtaking.
December is set to be a spectacular month in the skies above New York City. On tap are not one but two meteor showers that promise to put on an incredible light show.
The Geminids, considered by many as one of the best meteor showers of the year, will streak across the night sky from December 7-17, with its peak on the nights of December 13 and 14. A whopping 120-150 shooting stars are expected each hour, making for a dazzling display that is sure to leave even the most seasoned stargazers in awe.
And if that's not enough, the Geminids will be followed by the Ursids meteor shower from December 17 through Christmas. Although it may not reach the same heights as its predecessor, the Ursids still promise to deliver some impressive streaks of light across the sky.
But the real stars of the show are the celestial bodies themselves - a super moon that will rise on December 4, making the year's last full moon appear about 10% bigger and brighter. Although it may be less than ideal viewing conditions due to its proximity to Earth, this lunar event is sure to captivate all who witness it.
And then there's Orion, the Hunter, whose majestic presence will herald the arrival of winter in the night sky. Its distinctive three-star belt - Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka - is an easy sight for anyone willing to take a moment to gaze upwards. Be sure to look out for Betelgeuse and Rigel, two stars that form part of this stellar showpiece.
While urban light pollution may limit visibility in city parks like Inwood Hill Park, those venturing further afield will have the chance to see the Orion Nebula Cluster up close - a vast expanse of starry beauty that is simply breathtaking.
! Meteor showers are always a thrill, and this one's got two for us, plus a super moon 
. 120-150 shooting stars per hour? Mind blown 
! And let's not forget Orion, the Hunter, who's always a showstopper 
. I'm gonna be out in Central Park with some friends, trying to catch those stargazers 
. If you're feeling brave, grab a thermos of hot cocoa and head outside – it'll be magical 
!
can't believe we get to witness all these amazing celestial events in nyc this dec!!! 
️ first off, i'm super stoked for the geminids meteor shower! 120-150 shooting stars per hour? that's like, whoa!!! 
and it's gonna be even more lit with the super moon rising on dec 4 - can't wait to see that bigger & brighter 
then orion's back in the sky and we get to gaze at its majestic three-star belt 
. Inwood Hill Park might not be the best spot for viewing Orion, though 
. I hope they do something about those pesky streetlights to give us a clearer view of the stars 
️. It's gonna be a magical winter wonderland out there! 
can't wait to grab some hot cocoa and catch all these celestial events from the city park
anyway, gotta admit, a super moon and those meteor showers do sound pretty lit. hope i can catch the geminids and not get too many weird looks for standing outside in the middle of the night 
But you know what's even cooler? People finally taking a break from their screens and gazing up at the stars 
. Not to mention Orion making its majestic return... I'm talking major stargazing vibes 
... and then there's this 
[GIF of a meteor shower exploding into a rainbow]
It's like the world is putting on this amazing light show just for us 
i've been lookin at pictures of the three-star belt and it's just so iconic. anyone think we should make dec a global stargazing day? 
... who else can't wait to see the majestic 3-star belt & catch a glimpse of Betelgeuse & Rigel? 
there's these 2 meteor showers comin at ya - geminids & ursids - and they're gonna put on an AMAZING light show!!! 
gotta see orbin too tho, his belt is SO iconic 
! The Geminids meteor shower is gonna put on such an epic show, I'm literally counting down the days until Dec 13 
. And can we talk about that super moon? 
. Still, it's great that New York City is offering some free outdoor events around these meteor showers... fingers crossed they don't get too crazy 