The Geminid meteor shower peaks tonight (Dec. 13-14). It’s your chance to see an impressive show of shooting stars. This event happens as Earth travels through the trail of debris from comet 3200 Phaethon.
You might catch up to 150 Geminid meteors each hour during the peak, according to the American Meteor Society. However, how many you see will depend on where you are and the viewing conditions.
Shooting stars occur when small particles from comets or asteroids hit Earth’s atmosphere, burning up in a dazzling display. A tiny piece the size of a grain of sand can create a short flash, while larger fragments can produce bright fireballs that shine brighter than Venus.
Viewing the Geminid Meteors
Geminid meteors appear to come from a point near the bright star Castor in Gemini, which rises in the eastern sky after sunset on Dec. 13. You can start seeing some meteors as soon as night falls, but the best viewing will be after 10 p.m. local time. At that time, you might see around 30 meteors under dark skies.
For the best experience, find Castor with a smartphone app. If you spot Jupiter in Gemini, that can help you locate Castor, too. Try to look 30-40 degrees above Castor to catch the meteors at their longest. For reference, your fist covers roughly 10 degrees of the sky.
As the hours pass, more meteors will become visible, especially nearing 2 a.m. when you could see up to 60. Keep in mind that a crescent moon will rise around this time, but as long as you keep it out of view, you’ll likely still catch many shooting stars.
To fully enjoy the experience, give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. A red light can help preserve your night vision. Don’t forget to dress warmly and consider bringing a reclining chair or blanket to stay comfortable.
In recent years, social media has seen an uptick in excitement for meteor showers, with many sharing their viewing experiences online. This kind of engagement reflects the growing interest in stargazing as a relaxing nighttime activity.
For those wanting to take pictures of the shower, there are resources available on how to photograph meteor showers effectively. Check out options for astrophotography gear if you’re thinking of capturing the night sky.
Enjoy the celestial show tonight! It’s a beautiful reminder of the wonders beyond our world.
