The Geminids are considered one of the most productive annual meteor showers, with up to 160 shooting stars visible per hour under the right conditions.
This year, the Geminid meteor shower will peak on the night of Saturday, December 13th to Sunday, December 14th ET, so now is a great time to start making plans.
The meteor shower is made up of debris from the asteroid Phaeton 3200 and is known for its bright and colorful imagery. As Earth passes through this trail, dust and tiny fragments burn up in our atmosphere, causing bright streaks to streak across the night sky.
“Most of the Geminids burn up 30 to 40 miles above your head, but there's a very, very small chance that one of them will be big enough to produce a brilliant fireball and leave behind small meteorites on the ground.” NASA says on your website. “We haven’t found the Geminids meteorite yet, but there is always hope.”
This year's Geminids meteor shower actually started in the middle of last month and will last until December 24th, but most of the action will happen this coming weekend.
To witness the Geminid Peak, look to the eastern sky on the evening of Saturday, December 13, and early Sunday morning.
How to Get the Best View
– Before heading out, check the weather forecast as you want cloudless skies.
– Wear warm clothes and bring a hot drink and snack if you plan to stay for a while.
– Find a dark, clean place away from city lights. Try to find a place with the greatest view of the sky, not obscured by trees or buildings.
– Give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
– Lay down a blanket or take a comfortable camp chair and face east.
– Be patient and you will begin to notice meteors flashing in the night sky.
