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Geminid

Geminid

1 9.0
A meteor seen in December that comes from the shower near the constellation Gemini
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛmɪnɪd/
: geminido
  • The traditional favorite, the Geminid shower, occurs in mid-December.
  • Geminid meteor shower
  • Geminid meteor
  • Geminid peak

Examples

  • In their excitement over the Geminids, meteor fans have neglected the Ursid shower.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The Perseids, which peak around August 12th each year, are probably the best-known meteor shower, with the Geminids in December and November's Leonids running a close second and third.

    Academic text (1992)
  • You won't want to miss the Geminid meteor shower this year.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Then finally in the of December, we have the Geminids meteor shower, which is one of the best of the year, Invisible worldwide.

  • That number jumps when the Geminids peak on the night of December 14/15.

    Academic text (2007)
  • One of the most reliable showers, the Geminids peak on the night of December 13/14, just two days past New Moon.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Editor's note: This year, the Geminids peak at 7 p.m. PST on Dec. 13.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The Geminids can produce up to 120 meteors per hour under the darkest skies.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Geminid meteor shower peaks.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Every December, people gather to watch the spectacular display of the Geminid meteor shower.

Synonyms

meteor
vsGeminid
  • Specialized
155 4.1

A small rock from space that burns up as a bright streak in the sky

is part of a named annual shower seen in December, not any lone object
shooting star
vsGeminid
25 2.6

A bright streak of light in the night sky when a small rock from space burns up

is a named annual shower member seen in December, not just a visible streak
Perseid
vsGeminid
1 7.9

A meteor seen in the Perseid meteor shower in August

is seen in December rather than in August each year
taurid
vsGeminid
1 9.9

A meteor from the November shower that appears near the group of stars called Taurus

is seen in December rather than November each year
Aquarid
vsGeminid
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A meteor shower that appears to come from the group of stars called Aquarius

is tied to a December appearance rather than being named after Aquarius
draconid
vsGeminid
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A meteor from the Draconids shower that appears to come from the group of stars called Draco

is defined by its December appearance rather than radiating from Draco

Surface Forms

Geminid singular
Geminids plural

Morphology

Geminid = Gemini (transparent) = Gemini + id

The noun for an individual meteor is formed by adding '-id' to 'Gemini', indicating membership in the Geminids shower; learners familiar with the shower name can infer this.

Etymology

The word Geminid comes from the group of stars called Gemini, the zodiac sign whose Latin name gemini means 'twins'. A Geminid is a meteor from the annual Geminid shower, and it is called that because the meteors seem to come from the 'twins' area of the sky.