Parker Solar Probe Uncovers Origin of Geminid Meteor Shower

The origin of the Geminid meteor shower, which occurs in December, has been a mystery for a long time. While most meteor showers are caused by comets, the Geminids had no corresponding comet until an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon was discovered in 1983. A new study using data from the Parker Solar Probe suggests that the Geminids were not formed gradually as dust accumulated with each of Phaethon’s orbits, but rather due to an impact event where Phaethon was struck by a smaller asteroid. This violent burst approach explains the strength of the Geminids and addresses one of the problems with the "dusty comet" model.