Geminid Meteor Shower 2024 to Peak on December, But Moonlight May Affect Visibility
The highly anticipated Geminid meteor shower is set to reach its peak on the night of December 13 into the early hours of December 14, offering sky watchers an opportunity to witness one of the most significant celestial events of the year. However, as per reports, the viewing experience this year will be significantly impacted by bright moonlight due to a full moon on December 15. This bright lunar illumination is expected to obscure much of the meteor activity, especially the fainter streaks.
Challenges in Viewing Due to Moonlight
According to a report by Space.com, the Geminids, typically regarded as the most impressive annual meteor display, are characterised by their moderate speed and vibrant colours, often appearing in hues of yellow. While up to 120 meteors per hour can be seen under optimal dark sky conditions, the moon’s brightness this year will reduce visibility significantly. A few of the brightest meteors, including occasional fireballs, may still be visible. These brighter meteors could pierce through the moonlit sky and provide a glimpse of the event’s grandeur.
Best Times for Viewing
Astronomical reports suggest that those keen on observing the Geminids should target the predawn hours leading up to December 13. Limited “dark sky windows” have been identified for viewing before the moon sets and twilight begins. For instance, cities like Boston and Chicago will experience over two hours of dark skies on December 11, decreasing sharply to just a few minutes by December 13. In some locations, such as Seattle and Helena, no dark sky opportunities are expected on the peak night due to the moon’s presence.
Looking Ahead to Next Year
As per meteorological predictions, viewing conditions for the Geminid meteor shower in 2025 will be vastly improved. With a waning crescent moon phase expected during the peak period, minimal lunar interference will allow for optimal observation of this celestial spectacle across various regions.
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NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than June 19 for the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. The Axiom Mission 4 launch was postponed from June 12 as the agency continued evaluating repairs made to a recent leak on the ISS. The small leaks, located in the Zvezda service module’s aft section, had been under observation for years. Now, following a recent repair, the pressure in the module’s transfer tunnel has remained stable, indicating either successful sealing of leaks or compensatory airflow from other station compartments.
NASA Targets June 19 for Axiom-4 Launch as ISS Pressure Holds and Falcon 9 Passes Final Tests
As per a NASA update, while the stable pressure offers promise, teams are still evaluating whether it reflects a successful seal or airflow leakage across the hatch from the main station. Monitoring pressure changes over time is expected to provide clearer insights. Adjustments in launch schedules are considered routine by NASA and its international partners, particularly when onboard station operations require urgent prioritisation.
Progress on the evaluation front has allowed the review of new launch windows. The earlier hold was further compounded by a liquid oxygen leak discovered during post-static fire inspections of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX successfully performed a wet dress rehearsal after repairs, validating that the rocket is good to go for launch from the Kennedy Space Centre‘s Launch Complex 39A.
The mission will be commanded by Peggy Whitson, an experienced NASA astronaut who is Axiom Space’s director of human spaceflight. India’s Shubhanshu Shukla of ISRO will pilot the mission. The mission specialists include Polish ESA astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu. The mission represents an extension of Axiom’s increasingly prominent position in commercial human spaceflight.
The new launch date for the Axiom-4 mission is currently targeted for June 19, 2025. SpaceX has verified that all of the technical issues that caused the first delay have been resolved. Further updates will be released as NASA and its partners finalise operational assessments, as shared by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in an official statement.
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The oceans of Earth are in worse condition than it was, thought, said the scientists. This is because of the increased acidity levels that led the sea to enter the danger zone five years ago. As per the new study, oceans are more acidic by releasing carbon dioxide from industrial activities such as fossil fuel burning. This acidification of the oceans damages marine life and the ecosystem, in turn threatening the coastal human communities that are dependent on healthy waters for their life.
Oceans May Have Crossed the Danger Zone in 2020
In the study published on Monday, June 9, 2025, in the journal Global Change Biology, researchers have found that acidification is highly advanced tha it was considered in the previous years. Our oceans might have entered the danger zone in the year 2020. Previous research suggested that the oceans of Earth were approaching a danger zone for ocean acidification.
How Ocean Acidification Happens
Ocean acidification is driven by the absorption of ocean of excess CO2 into the ocean, which is rapidly contributing to the global crisis. CO2 dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid, lowering pH levels and invading the vital carbonate ions. This threatens the species in the water, such as corals and shellfish, which depend on calcium carbonate to build their skeletons and shells.
The Planetary Boundary May Be Breached
Recent research depicts that the ocean acidification levels may now be breached, crossing the previous estimate of a 19% aragonite decline from the previous industrial levels. Scientists are alarmed that this change could destabilise the ecosystems of marine and, in turn, the coastal economies. This is a ticking bomb with socioeconomic and environmental consequences.
Global Consequences of Acidification
The recent findings suggest that scientists have feared in the past. Ocean acidification has reached dangerous levels, exceeding the limit that is needed to maintain a healthy and stable environment. As critical habitats degrade, the rippling effects are expected to cause harm to biodiversity, impact food security for many of the people who depend on the oceans for their livelihood.
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