Second Meteor Shower Might Join Geminids This Week

Sky watchers on Dec. 13 -14 may get a double show. NASA scientists say a second meteor shower may appear near the constellation Pisces, according to NASA Science News. The shower could be active at the same time as the anticipated

The source of the new shower is Comet Wirtanen, according to  Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office. Cooke recommends that sky watchers have a meteor night after sunset on Dec. 13 when the criss-crossing debris streams could produce the greatest combined number of shooting stars.

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He said meteors from the new shower, if they appear, would be visible in the early evening, while the Geminds would be more visible later in the evening up until dawn.

The Geminids are in the east sky, while the new shower would be in the south sky. Astronomists are waiting to name the shower to see if meteors actually materialize.

The forecast for Deerfield Thursday night is mostly clear and a new moon phase will help with visibility in the night sky.

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