(meteorobs) 2012 Geminids

[Roberto Gorelli]

On Tue, 11 Dec 2012 02:08:45 -0500
  Norman W McLeod III <nmcleod at coconet.com> wrote:
> Borrowing a portion of Mark Davis' post,
> 
> >The particulars on this shower are:
> 
> >Active: December 4--17
> >Maximum: December 13, 23.5h UT
> 
> this time is soon after sunset on the U.S. east coast.  It fits the 
>leap-year pattern that I have experienced back to 1968.  The highest 
>Geminid leap-year rates for North America come on the night of Dec 
>12/13, with few Geminids brighter than magnitude 2.  I agree with the 
>maximum observing rate of 60/hour that Mark mentioned.  The years of 
>80/hour and above are behind us, 1979 to 1996 that I saw.
> 
> The next night has lower rates, but almost entirely bright Geminids, 
>few fainter than second magnitude.  The rate for bright Geminids in 
>these longitudes won't top 40/hour, and falling quickly after 
>midnight.  By night's end it is down to only 15/hour.

You should remember too that from 1968 to 2012 the Geminids are more 
numerous, with a highest peak, then you should see more meteors that 
in 1968. It must remembered too that there is a mass effect with 
luminous meteors (bolids) after the peak and that 2 day after the 
central side of the peak the Geminids are near zero.
Best greetings.
Roberto Gorelli