The Geminid meteor shower may have started earlier this month, but it’s expected to reach its peak soon, and when it does, it could be one of the best shows in years.
And for those looking to witness incredible sights, this year’s timing could make for even better viewing.
Here’s what you need to know about the Geminid meteor shower and when you can see it.
When does the Geminid meteor shower peak?
According to NASA, the Geminid meteor shower will begin early this month and continue until Christmas Eve.
The peak of this year’s Geminid meteor shower is expected to occur in the early morning hours of December 14, with up to 120 meteors per hour possible. According to EarthSky.
Why will showers be even better this year?
This timing of the year is also good news for stargazers.
That’s because December’s new moon occurs just two days before the peak of the meteor shower, meaning most of the meteors visible to the naked eye cannot be drowned out by moonlight.
What is the Geminid meteor shower?
The Geminid meteor shower is one of the most prolific meteor showers of the year.
The meteors in this shower tend to radiate from the star Castor in the constellation Gemini, hence the name Geminid meteor shower.
What makes this meteor shower special, according to NASA, is that while most of them originate from the trajectory of comets that have passed through the solar system, the Geminids come from the trajectory of an asteroid known as 3200 Fatehhon, which was discovered in the 1980s. This means that it is occurring.
When and where should I look to see the Geminid meteor shower?
Residents who want to watch the show should find the darkest place possible and allow their eyes to adjust for at least 30 minutes. According to NASA and EarthSky, the meteor shower’s radiant reaches its highest point in the sky around 2 a.m., so you’ll need to stay up a little later than usual to see the peak of the meteor shower.
Experts say meteors can be visible across the sky, even if the radiant point is overhead.