Tonight, Saturday, December 14, 2024, one of the three major meteor showers, the Geminid meteor shower, reaches its peak!
A chance to see up to 40 meteors per hour!
And today(once it’s the 14th) is also Nishitsu’s 6th anniversary🎉 So it feels like a fateful day for shooting stars. It’s a special night, so if you’re reading this and happen to have some free time, look up at the sky~
Apparently you may be able to see 10 to 15 meteors per hour. It has a rare feel to it, so give it a try.
Best Time to Watch
- From around 9 p.m. on Friday, December 13 to around 5 a.m. on Saturday, December 14
- The best window is especially from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. on the 14th! You can expect up to 40 meteors per hour✨
That said, since December 15 is a full moon, the moonlight will be quite strong… The trick is to keep the moonlight behind you and watch a wide area of the sky!
What’s the Weather Forecast?
- Night of the 13th: Cloudy with occasional clear skies
- Early morning of the 14th: Cloudy, then clearing
It looks like there will be a fair amount of cloud cover, but it’s worth sticking around and aiming for breaks in the clouds! Be sure to check the latest weather forecast too📡
The night sky in Shukugawa as of 11:35↓
There are a few clouds, but it doesn’t look like they’ll be too much of a problem for viewing.
Recommended Viewing Spots in Nishinomiya
- Kabuto-yama Forest Park
A spot with few streetlights and a nice open view. Don’t forget to bundle up for the mountain paths at night! (If you’re heading there now, you probably know what you’re getting into.) - Shukugawa Park
Easy to get to, with relatively little lighting. The riverside setting makes it a nice place to relax a bit. (Could be good if you live nearby.) - Koshienhama
This goes for any spot, but open areas make it easier to see a fairly wide, almost 360-degree view of the sky!
Tips for Watching
- Choose a place with few streetlights
- Let your eyes adjust to the dark for about 15 minutes
- It’s best to watch a wide area in every direction!
Don’t worry too much about the direction. Just relax and wait for the meteors.
Staying Warm Is a Must!
The temperature is expected to be 3 to 5 degrees🥶. A warm coat and some kairo heat packs would be nice to have~ Enjoy a slightly special night with a warm drink in hand while watching for shooting stars~
Nishitsu Turns 6 Today(the 14th)!
The very first article we wrote on December 14, 2018 was actually about this “Geminid meteor shower”🌟 Six years later, we’re still able to bring you plenty of Nishinomiya info thanks to all of you! Thank you as always~!
Wish upon a star!
May everyone’s wishes come true~✨ If you have time, we’re waiting for your posts on social media with “#にしつー流星群”~
