Faasai to turn off lights for stargazers during Geminid meteor shower

With more than half the world’s population now living in cities, it is becoming a rare treat to see the night sky; indeed, some urban children may never have experienced it. As the National Geographic explained in an article last year - “In most cities the sky looks as though it has been emptied of stars, leaving behind a vacant haze that mirrors our fear of the dark.”

For those lucky enough to escape the city for star gazing, one of the biggest thrills is seeing “falling stars” or meteors. Even more exciting is showers of meteors, created by the debris of comets crashing and burning high in Earth's upper atmosphere.

On December 13-16 in Asia there will be a spectacular show, as meteors will be pouring down at up to 85 an hour during the Geminids Meteor Shower.

Conditions will be close to optimal as there will be little interference from the moon as it is a new moon on the 16th December, and the clear winter skies should prevent clouds from obscuring the view.

Experts recommend that for best viewing you should lie back or position yourself so the horizon appears at the edge of your peripheral vision, with the stars and sky filling your field of view. Meteors will be easy to see as they streak by and you won’t need binoculars or telescopes, your eyes will be enough.

This meteor shower is called the Geminids as it will appear to be coming from the Gemini constellation.

The darkest time of night will be the best time to see the meteors and so it should be perfect between about 2.00 am and 4.00 am on the morning of Tuesday 14th December.

Faasai Resort and Spa will turn off its night lights on Sunday night so that those who want to enjoy the meteor shower can do so in safety and comfort. Since there is not much commercial activity at our fishing village of Kung Wiman,there should be plenty of darkness to enjoy the show.