Dopey

(via hobbitondrugs)

The Geminids, which peak during mid-December each year, are considered to be one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers. 

This month, they’re active from Dec. 4-17, and peak the evening of Dec. 13-14 for a full 24 hours, meaning more worldwide meteor watchers will get to enjoy the show. 

Below are 10 things to know about this beautiful spectacle.

1. The forecast. 

From our resident night sky expert, Jane Jones: If you can see Orion and Gemini in the sky, you’ll see some Geminids. Expect to see about 60 meteors per hour before midnight on Dec. 13 and from midnight-3:30 a.m. on Dec. 14 from a dark sky. You’ll see fewer meteors after moonrise at 3:30 a.m. local time. In the southern hemisphere, you won’t see as many, perhaps 10-20 per hour, because the radiant—the point in the sky where the meteor shower appears to originate—never rises above the horizon.

2. Viewing tips.

Kids can join in on the fun as early as 9 or 10 p.m. You’ll want to find an area well away from city or street lights. Come prepared for winter temperatures with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair. Lie flat on your back and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you’ll begin to see meteors. Be patient—the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.

3. Late bloomer.

The Geminids weren’t always such as a spectacular show. When they first began appearing in the mid-1800s, there were only 10-20 visible meteors per hour. Since then, the Geminids have grown to become one of the major showers of the year.

4. Remind me—where do meteor showers come from?

Meteors come from leftover comet particles and bits from asteroids. When these objects come around the Sun, they leave a dusty trail behind them. Every year, the Earth passes through these debris trails, which allows the bits to collide with our atmosphere, where they disintegrate to create fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.

5. That said…

While most meteor showers come from comets, the Geminids originate from an asteroid: 3200 Phaethon. Asteroid 3200 Phaethon takes 1.4 years to orbit the Sun once. It is possible that Phaethon is a “dead comet” or a new kind of object being discussed by astronomers called a “rock comet.” Phaethon’s comet-like, highly-elliptical orbit around the Sun supports this hypothesis. That said, scientists aren’t too sure how to define Phaethon. When it passes by the Sun, it doesn’t develop a cometary tail, and its spectra looks like a rocky asteroid. Also, the bits and pieces that break off to form the Geminid meteoroids are several times denser than cometary dust flakes.

6. Tell me more. 

3200 Phaethon was discovered on Oct. 11, 1983 by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite. Because of its close approach to the Sun, Phaethon is named after the Greek mythological character who drove the Sun-god Helios’ chariot. Phaethon is a small asteroid: its diameter measures only 3.17 miles (5.10 kilometers) across. And we have astronomer Fred Whipple to thank—he realized that Phaethon is the source for the Geminids.

7. A tale of twins. 

The Geminids’ radiant is the constellation Gemini, a.k.a. the “Twins.” And, of course, the constellation of Gemini is also where we get the name for the shower: Geminids.

8. In case you didn’t know. 

The constellation for which a meteor shower is named only helps stargazers determine which shower they’re viewing on a given night; the constellation is not the source of the meteors. Also, don’t just look to the constellation of Gemini to view the Geminids—they’re visible throughout the night sky. 9. And in case you miss the show. 

There’s a second meteor shower in December: the Ursids, radiating from Ursa Minor, the Little Dipper. If Dec. 22 and the morning of Dec. 23 are clear where you are, have a look at the Little Dipper’s bowl—you might see about 10 meteors per hour. 10. Endless opportunities. There are so many sights to see in the sky. Use the Night Sky Network, the Solar System Ambassadors, and the Museum Alliance to look up local astronomy clubs, and join them for stargazing events in town, and under dark skies.

Eminem ethered Donald Trump and allll the racists at the Hip Hop Awards, y’all.

This the calm before the storm right here Wait, how was I gonna start this off? I forgot Oh, yeah: That’s an awfully hot coffee pot. Should I drop it on Donald Trump? Probably not But that’s all I got ‘til I come up with a solid plot.

Got a plan, and now I gotta hatch it.. Like a damn Apache with a tomahawk I'ma walk inside a mosque on Ramadan and say a prayer that every time Donald talks she gets a mop–ahh, I'ma stop. 

But we better give Obama props.. 'Cause what we got in office now’s a kamikaze that’ll probably cause a nuclear holocaust.. And while the drama pops and he waits for shit to quiet down he’ll just gas his plane up and fly around 'til the bombing stops. Intensities heightened, tensions are rising.. Trump, when it comes to giving a shit, you’re stingy as I am. Except when it comes to having the balls to go against me, you hide 'em.. 'Cause you don’t got the fucking nuts like an empty asylum.

Racism’s the only thing he’s fantastic for 'cause that’s how he gets his fucking rocks off and he’s orange.. Yeah, sick tan, that’s why he wants us to disband.. 'Cause he can not withstand the fact we’re not afraid of Trump.. Fuck walkin’ on egg shells, I came to stomp.. That’s why he keeps screamin’, “Drain the swamp” 'Cause he’s in quicksand.

It’s like we take a step forwards, then backwards.. But this is his form of distraction.. Plus, he gets an enormous reaction when he attacks the NFL so we focus on that Instead of talking Puerto Rico or gun reform for Nevada.. All these horrible tragedies and he’s bored and would rather cause a Twitter storm with the Packers. Then says he wants to lower our taxes.. Then who’s gonna pay for his extravagant trips back and forth with his fam to his golf resorts and his mansions? 

Same shit that he tormented Hillary for and he slandered.. Then does it more.

 From his endorsement of Bannon. Support from the Klansmen. Tiki torches in hand for the soldier that’s black and comes home from Iraq and is still told to go back to Africa. Fork and a dagger in this racist 94-year-old grandpa who keeps ignoring our past historical, deplorable factors.

Now, if you’re a black athlete You’re a spoiled little brat for tryna use your platform or your stature.. To try to give those a voice who don’t have one.. He says, “You’re spittin’ in the face of vets who fought for us, you bastards”.. Unless you’re a POW who’s tortured and battered.. 'Cause to him, you’re zeros.. 'Cause he don’t like his war heroes captured.. That’s not disrespecting the military.

Fuck that, this is for Colin, ball up a fist.. And keep that shit balled like Donald the bitch. “He’s gonna get rid of all immigrants” “He’s gonna build that thing up taller than this” Well, if he does build it, I hope it’s rock solid with bricks. 'Cause like him in politics, I’m using all of his tricks. 'Cause I’m throwing that piece of shit against the wall 'til it sticks.