Fri Dec 13 23:03:11 UTC 2024: ## Japanese Astronomer Captures Possible Geminid Meteor Impacts on the Moon
**HIRATSUKA, JAPAN** – Amateur astronomer Daichi Fujii has captured stunning video footage of bright flashes on the lunar surface, potentially documenting Geminid meteor impacts. Fujii, curator of the Hiratsuka City Museum, recorded the flashes on December 8th at 7:41 p.m. and 10:34 p.m. local time using multiple telescopes. While the exact nature of the impacts remains unconfirmed, their timing coincides with the peak of the annual Geminid meteor shower, and an expert from the American Meteor Society suggests a Geminid origin is plausible.
Previous studies by NASA have confirmed lunar impacts from Geminids in 2006 and 2010. Fujii’s footage, however, may offer the first visual confirmation of these events as they occur. The astronomer has previously captured notable astronomical events, including the lasers of NASA’s ICESat-2 satellite and a separate lunar meteor impact.
The Geminids, originating from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, are known for their bright and frequent meteors, making them a popular viewing event for stargazers. While Fujii’s footage provides compelling evidence, further analysis is needed to definitively confirm the impacts as Geminids. Regardless, his observations highlight the ongoing bombardment of the Moon by cosmic debris.
First Piper 