The Geminid meteor shower is caused by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This is in contrast to most meteor showers, which are triggered by comets rather than asteroids. Simon Green and John Davies identified 3200 Phaethon on photos taken by the IRAS (Infrared Astronomical Satellite) on October 11, 1983. In 1985, it was awarded the asteroid designation 3200 Phaethon after being given the naming 1983 TB. Fred Whipple stated that this asteroid had the same orbit as the Geminid meteor shower.
Geminid meteor shower 2022: The Geminids showers will peak between 2 and 3 a.m., with over 100 meteors approaching Earth, and Indian residents will be able to see them all with their own eyes. However, much depends on how clear the sky is.
Geminids travel at 78,000 mph (35 km/s), according to NASA data. This is more than 1000 times faster than a cheetah, about 250 times faster than the world's fastest car, and more than 40 times faster than a speeding bullet.
It looks like 2022 is on track to go out with a bang, as one of the year’s most spectacular meteor showers will head to the celestial stage in the coming.