The Geminids are considered one of the most productive annual meteor showers, with as many as 160 “shooting stars” visible an hour in the right conditions.
This year the Geminid meteor shower will peak on the night of Saturday, December 13 into Sunday, December 14 ET, so now is a great time to start making plans.
The meteor shower is made up of debris trailing the 3200 Phaethon asteroid and the display is known for being bright and colorful. When Earth passes through this trail, the dust and tiny fragments burn up in our atmosphere, causing bright streaks to zip across the night sky.
“Most Geminids burn up 30-40 miles above your head, but there is a very, very small chance that one may be big enough to produce a brilliant fireball and leave small meteorites on the ground,” NASA says on its website. “So far we haven’t found a Geminid meteorite, but there’s always hope.”
This year’s Geminids meteor shower actually started in the middle of last month and will continue through December 24, but most of the action will occur this coming weekend.
To witness the Geminids’ peak, cast your gaze to the eastern sky on the evening of Saturday, December 13, and into the early hours of Sunday morning.
How to get the best view
– Check the weather forecast before you head out as you’ll want a cloudless sky.
– Wear warm clothes and take a hot drink and snacks if you’re planning to stay out for a while.
– Find a dark, clear location away from city lights. Try to find a spot with the largest view of the sky, unobscured by trees and buildings.
– Give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the dark surroundings.
– Lay down a blanket or take a comfortable camping chair and face east.
– Be patient and you’ll start to spot the meteors flashing across the night sky.