A study on the Geminid meteor shower What The Geminid meteor shower was discovered 1862 is caused by the

asteroid 3200 Phaeton, with an unusual orbit that brings it closer to the sun than any other named asteroid. It leaves little debris yet the swarm of debris in 3200 Phaethon's orbit ranges from 5 to 500 times as massive as the debris swarms associated with other meteor showers. That is why the Geminid meteor shower has so many meteors. The debris swarms in 3200 Phaetons orbit range from 5 to 500 time more massive than debris swarms associated with other meteor showers, hence why the Geminid meteor shower has so many meteors. The meteors in the shower often appear yellowish in hue with an average magnitude of +2, however much brighter fireballs are often seen. Whilst other meteors may be seen during the Geminid shower, the Geminid meteors can be traced back to their radiant in the constellation of Gemini (hence the showers name). The meteors travel at 22mph, making them fairly easy spot with their medium speed in relation to other showers. Place of observation, time, position in the sky I will observe the Geminids at BR3 1JW in Beckenham, preferably around the peak of 2am-3am local time on the 14th of December. However, due to less than optimal weather conditions for observation around the peak time (up to 96% cloud cover), observations may be made on the Monday, Tuesday and Saturday on the same week. Gemini is circumpolar from BR3 1JW (lat/long: 51.409033, - 0.030371) and on 14th December at 3AM Gemini will be to the southwest. The right ascension of Gemini is 07h 28m and its declination is +32, thus we will be able to trace any Geminid meteors from the shower to these co-ordinates. Comparable stars, magnitudes Note: Magnitudes are measured in V, the lower the magnitude, the brighter the object is. The system was formalized in 1856 by Norman Robert Pogson. Castor-Alpha Geminorum: Visual Binary- +1.93 /+ 2.97 V Pollux-Beta Geminorum: Evolved Giant Star- +1.14 V Alhena- Gamma Geminorum: Evolving Star- +1.915 V Wasat- Delta Geminorum: Subgiant Star- +3.53 V

Mebsuta- Epsilon Geminorum: Supergiant- +3.06 V Mekbuda- Zeta Geminorum: Supergiant- +3.93 V

Equipment For my observations I will need my plan, a red light, a sketchpad to draw my observations, drawing materials (e.g. pencils and rubbers), preferably a chair to be able to observe comfortably in addition to refeshments and warm clothes to keep warm during the night. Method To observe the stars, I will try to find the largest clearing possible without light pollution (which would most optimally be elevated from surroundings) to see as many stars as clearly as possible. In ideal conditions, I will sketch after 20-30 minutes of darkness so that my eyes become dark-adapted and my retinas become fully sensitive to light, because of the need of dark-adaption, we will use a red light as to not adversely affect the dark-adapted eyes. Also, by observing naked eye, it means that the eye is fully relaxed and able to view for extended periods. For the sketches, I will make rough sketches (including the time) first to take down as much data as possible and I will draw-up more detailed and neat diagrams later, with details such as colour, estimated magnitude etc.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geminids, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3200_Phaethon, http://www.examiner.com/article/origin-of-the-geminid-meteor-shower, http://www.activeastronomy.org/your-guide-to-tonight-s-sky/the-geminid-meteor-shower th 4 edition GCSE Astronomy guide for pupils and teachers accuweather.com http://www.astroviewer.com/interactive-night-sky-map.php