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Sunday, December 14, 2014

DUAL SPACE STREAMS SPARK 'METEORORA' LIGHT SHOW



DUAL SPACE STREAMS SPARK 'METEORORA' LIGHT SHOW

This weekend Earth is passing through two space streams--(1) a stream of gravelly debris from rock comet 3200 Phaethon, source of the annual Geminid meteor shower, and (2) a stream of high-speed solar wind from the sun. This double whammy is sparking a mixed display of meteors and auroras around the Arctic Circle. Photographer Frank Olsen sends this 'meteorora' snapshot from Andøya island, Norway:



While the visibility of auroras is confined to high latitudes, the Geminids can be seen anywhere. Forecasters expect the shower to peak on Dec. 13-14 with as many as 120 meteors per hour. Wherever you live, the best time to look is during the hours between 10 pm Saturday and dawn on Sunday (local time).

From SpaceWeather.com

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