The annual Geminids meteor shower will peak this weekend, offering stargazers the opportunity to catch what are often some of the best and most reliable shooting star displays of the year.
The meteor shower has been active for more than a week, but activity is expected to peak Saturday and Sunday evenings. according to NASA.
Shooting stars are visible in both the northern and southern hemispheres, although Gemini tends to be brighter and appear more frequently north of the equator due to the direction from which they flow in the night sky.
Under ideal conditions—clear weather and minimal light pollution—skywatchers will be able to see up to 120 Geminid meteors per hour, according to NASA.
The Geminids are known to produce bright, colorful fireballs that streak across the night sky.
For best viewing, head outside between midnight local time and early morning. Look at the eastern sky, towards the constellation Gemini.
The Moon won't interfere with Gemini's show this year, as it will only be 26% illuminated at sunrise.
Meteor showers occur when the Earth's orbital path passes through clouds of small rocks, dust and other debris that burn up when they enter the planet's atmosphere. Most meteor showers are caused by the remnants of comets, but the Geminids originate from the remains of an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon.
The attractive colors of the Geminids – from yellow to red and even greenish hues – are due to the chemical composition of the asteroid debris.
