Occultations by asteroids are a rarity for such bright stars. The visual spectacle will be confined to a narrow path extending from Asia to southern Europe, Florida, and eastern Mexico. Skywatchers within this trajectory can witness the event without the aid of binoculars or telescopes.
For those outside the path, The Virtual Telescope Project in Italy will host a livestream of the occultation. They are offering a virtual front-row seat to this cosmic ballet.
The livestream is scheduled to commence at 8:00 p.m. EST on Dec. 11.
Geminid Meteor Shower: A Celestial Symphony
As the mid-month approaches, the Geminid meteor shower takes center stage. This is a great time to see shooting stars.
Running from Dec. 13 to 15, the peak of the meteor shower on the night of the 14th promises up to 120 meteors per hour, though the actual count may vary.
This mesmerizing show is a result of debris left behind by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, discovered in 1982, with meteors seemingly radiating from the Gemini constellation.
