3200 Phaethon 3200 Phaethon 3200 Phaethon ( , sometimes incorrectly spelled Phaeton), provisional designation , is an Apollo asteroid with an orbit that brings it closer to the Sun than any other named asteroid (though there are numerous unnamed asteroids with smaller perihelia, such as ). For this reason, it was named after the Greek myth of Phaëthon, son of the sun god Helios. It is in diameter and is the parent body of the Geminids meteor shower of mid-December. With an observation arc of 30+ years, it has a very well determined orbit. The 2017 Earth approach distance of about 10
December Hydrids (December 4–15), and the Ursids (December 17-to December 25/26, peaking around December 22). "This list does not necessarily imply either official status or general observance." Last Week of November: November 25 – December 1 First Sunday: December 2 Fourth Sunday before Christmas Day: December 2 First Monday in December and following 7 days: December 3-9 First Friday: December 7 Sunday two weeks before Christmas: December 9 Second Monday: December 10 December 15, unless the date falls on a Sunday, then December 16: December 15 Second-final Sunday before Christmas Day: December 16 Thursday before Christmas: December 20 Winter Solstice: December