CEBU, Philippines — Before the year ends, people will witness a significant astronomical event this December.
Alfredo Quiblat, Jr. from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Visayas confirmed on Wednesday that meteor showers are expected to occur this month.
He said these so-called "falling stars" can be seen in Cebu if the sky is cloudless and can be visible through naked eyes.
Geminid meteor shower, which happens annually, is anticipated to be "active" from December 4 to 17.
It also noted that its peak activity can be observed on the night of December 14 until the early morning hours of the 15th.
"The constellation of Gemini, the Twin, is easy to spot through its two bright stars Castor and Pollux, which are just to the left of constellations Orion and Auriga. Under a dark and cloudless sky and just after midnight of its peak activity, meteors or “falling stars” can be seen at an average rate of forty (40) or more meteors per hour. The shower will appear to radiate from the constellation of Gemini," PAGASA's official website stated.
To note, Geminid differs from other meteor showers since the former does not originate from a comet. Geminid meteors come from an asteroid.
PAGASA's astronomers say "meteors from this shower are very rocky and gritty and slightly easier to see compared to the other showers."
But more than the scientific ideologies, people traditionally cast their wishes when they sight of "falling stars" which are actually meteors.
Moreover, the weather bureau marked December 22 as December solstice or winter solstice, which happens when the Earth's pole has its maximum tilt away from the sun.
The winter solstice or midwinter is defined by astronomy as an event where in the day has the shortest period of daylight. With this, the date has the longest night of the year.
This astronomical phenomenon happens twice in a year - once in the Northern Hemisphere (where Philippines belong) every December and the other in the Southern Hemisphere every June.
People during this date celebrate at nighttime such as feasting, singing, dancing, camping, and other ways to spend longer time with loved ones at night. (FREEMAN)