Geminid Meteor Shower 2015

RTU-AstroSoc Geminid Meteor Shower 2015

RTU Astronomy Society spearheaded an overnight observation activity in anticipation of the annual Geminid meteor shower, held at Aguho Elementary School, Tanay, Rizal from the afternoon of December 12 to morning of the 13th.

Participants left RTU past 1pm and traversed urban traffic, long, winding roads through the mountains and walked up and down hilly terrain. They had a stop-over at Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia upon arrival in Barangay Sampaloc, Tanay at 4. Dominican Sisters, stewards of the site, introduced and guided the students and faculty on their circuit around Regina RICA. They trekked afterwards, shuffling along roads and stony paths, to Aguho Elementary School.

Students were briefly oriented and organized in preparation for the hours-long observation. Glowstick bracelets were handed out as a measure of recognition for the organizers. The participants headed for dinner and some rest, while residents from Sitio Aguho had been introduced and invited to observe the night sky through the telescopes that were brought to the site.

Observation proper began at around 8 PM. Meteors appeared sporadically but increased in frequency as the hours ticked to midnight and early, and originated often in Orion. Fireballs have been seen, and meteors shot through the sky in pairs as the night went on. The participants were herded to bed past 2 AM; the sky then being cloudy with a slight drizzle falling to the observers forced the event to a halt.

Moreover, participants left the site at 6 AM and returned to Rizal Technological University at 9.

Writer: Aleandra Rivera