Catch the Geminids meteor shower at Woodlands Galaxy CC
Christmas is almost upon us, and as you search for appropriate gifts for your significant other, there are perhaps fewer better ways to show your appreciation than one of a unique experience.
If you’re having trouble deciding how to spend the festivities with your partner, here’s a cheap Christmas date idea for you – stargazing!
Located a mere 5 minute walk away from Admiralty MRT station, Woodlands Galaxy Community Club is home to Singapore’s second-largest telescope, and is open to the public to watch meteor showers, stargaze, and look at nearby planets like Jupiter and Venus.
The Geminids Meteor Shower 2023
And they’re having their annual Geminids viewing event on 16 Dec, where you can get all-night access to the telescope, along with other events to fill your time while waiting.
The Geminids is one of the year’s most reliable and anticipated meteor showers, occurring every December. And this year’s Geminids is said to be the year’s strongest meteor showers, especially with the moon set to be at one of its dimmest phases, preventing too much light pollution.
You can expect to see up to 150 white, yellow, and green shooting stars streak across the night sky every hour, with the estimated peak timing to be around 2am. The meteors from the Geminid shower are said to be slow moving, so you’ll be able to see the phenomenon more clearly than most.
Although the night of the Geminids is expected to be clear and dark, weather conditions are unpredictable and may affect the sky’s visibility.
In case of bad weather conditions, there will also be an art jamming event and live acoustic performances, so your $1 will be going a particularly long way.
Stargazing Do’s and Don’ts
While preparing to watch the Geminids, bring a jacket if need be, and be patient. It is recommended to wait for a minimum of 1 hour, preferably on a portable chair or picnic mat as meteor showers come in spurts.
Avoid using telescopes or binoculars during the meteor shower, as doing so prevents you from properly appreciating its grandiose scale. In addition, avoid using your phone for at least 30 minutes while waiting for the Geminids, so that your eyes can adjust to the dark sky and see the meteor shower clearly when it appears.
Looking for food options this Christmas? Check out these scrumptious Christmas buffets to feast on!
Price: $1/pax
Address: Woodlands Galaxy Community Centre, 31 Woodlands Avenue 6, Singapore 738991
Dates: 16 Dec
Times: 7 to 9.30pm and 10pm to 6am
Cover image via @peoplesassociation on TikTok
