Geminid meteor shower witnessed from India’s dark sky reserve | See pic

The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is located in the heart of Ladakh. It has become the home to a celestial theater with the beautiful show by the Geminid meteor shower, as it captured spectacular cosmic fireworks for the viewers recently. This event was highly anticipated and special at Hanle, with the Indian Astronomical Observatory using the colossal MACE telescope and the array of HAGAR telescopes, and providing a stunning 360-degree backdrop to the celestial display.

In the captured picture, one can witness the jaw-dropping meteor shower captured by Dorje Angchuk of the Indian Astronomical Observatory. The Geminid meteor shower was a result of Earth passing through the debris left by an asteroid which is known for its interesting show of shooting stars and was visible up to 120 meteors per hour under the ideal dark-sky conditions.

Observers at Hanle were in for a treat as not just once or twice, but thrice the meteors streaked across the sky, with the astronomical phenomenon that required intrinsic planning and technical prowess. Dorje Angchuk shared the image on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

A total of 42 images were clicked together which was then turned into an all-encompassing view of the observatory against the night sky which thus resulted in a massive 2 GB file that pushed the limits of the equipment of the photographer. The final image however showcased the detail and grandeur of the Geminids settled against the silhouette of the observatory, which was achieved using a dual camera setup over the two nights.

The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve started in October 2023 to control light pollution and preserve the area’s natural darkness which has become a source of pride for India and a hub for astro tourism. It is India’s first Dark Sky Reserve with Hanle setting the stage for future astro tourism promising to provide a magical experience for astronomers and the usual stargazers.

For the unversed, the Geminid meteor shower is an annual celestial spectacle that takes place in December. It graces the night sky with a breathtaking display of shooting stars. The Geminid meteor shower originates from the debris of an asteroid named 3200 Phaethon, and these meteors radiate from the Gemini constellation.