Residents of Hyderabad showed remarkable dedication to astronomy over the weekend, braving the season's coldest temperatures to witness the spectacular Geminid meteor shower. This annual celestial event, which peaks around mid-December, saw enthusiasts across the city heading to their terraces and far beyond to catch a glimpse of the 'shooting stars' streaking across the night sky.
City Dwellers Seek Darker Skies for Optimal Viewing
While many watched from their homes, a significant number of people ventured to the city's outskirts where darker skies offered a much clearer view. The Geminids are the dusty remnants of the rocky asteroid 3200 Phaethon. To witness them, a group of 35-40 people from across Hyderabad gathered at a farmhouse in Chevella, located roughly 30 kilometers from the city center, on Sunday night.
The event was both a social and educational gathering. Professor Najam Hasan and Assistant Professor Priya Hasan from Maulana Azad National Urdu University were present to explain the science behind meteor showers to the eager participants. The Geminids are known for their reliability and can produce anywhere from a few meteors per minute to a stunning peak of over 100 meteors per hour, depending on viewing conditions.
Telescopes Reveal Cosmic Wonders Beyond Meteors
Amateur astrophotographer Syed Vilayath Hussain, who documented the 'star party' at Chevella, shared details of their observations. "While the Geminids themselves are visible to the naked eye, we used telescopes to explore much more," he said. The group trained their instruments on the Pleiades star cluster and the planets Saturn and Jupiter, even spotting some of their moons.
Hussain emphasized the advantage of escaping the city's light pollution. "Thanks to the dark skies on the outskirts, we were able to observe the Orion nebula, which is usually impossible to see from within the bright and polluted night skies of Hyderabad," he added.
High Demand for Organized Astronomy Events
The interest in the meteor shower was so high that organized events saw full houses. At a retreat in the hills of Ananthagiri, about 80 kilometers from Hyderabad, Venugopal and his team from Stardust Hyderabad hosted a paid event that attracted more than 150 participants over the weekend.
"We hosted people from in and around Hyderabad on Saturday," Venugopal stated. The demand was overwhelming. "We actually had to politely turn down many enthusiasts due to high demand. We accommodated dozens more on Sunday," he explained. Participants at this location were treated to views of deep-sky objects like the Andromeda galaxy and the Orion nebula through a powerful 16-inch Dobsonian telescope.
The successful weekend of stargazing highlights a growing community of astronomy lovers in Hyderabad, willing to endure chilly weather and travel long distances for a chance to connect with the cosmos. The event seamlessly blended education, community, and the sheer wonder of observing one of nature's most reliable and dazzling light shows.
