NEW YORK — Get ready for one of the best meteor showers this year! The Geminids are peaking this weekend and will be visible until mid-December, according to the American Meteor Society. These meteors often appear yellow and can be seen worldwide, but the Northern Hemisphere offers the best views.
During the peak on Saturday night into Sunday morning, observers might catch up to 120 meteors an hour if the skies are dark, as reported by NASA. Meteor showers happen when fast-moving space rocks collide with Earth’s atmosphere, creating bright streaks in the sky, often referred to as “shooting stars.” We see more meteors during renowned showers because Earth moves through dense streams of cosmic debris.
How impressive the show is can depend on various factors like debris amounts and moon brightness. Fortunately, the Geminids have an excellent viewing window before the moon rises high after midnight, which might wash out some meteors.
To fully appreciate the Geminid display, find a quiet spot away from city lights. The meteors fill the sky, so look towards the darkest areas or find the Gemini constellation that gives the shower its name.
Settle in a sleeping bag or a comfortable lawn chair, and wait about 15 to 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the night. After that, you’ll start to see glowing meteors rushing across the sky. “The stars stay in place, but meteors move, leaving a trail behind,” explains Bethany Cobb Kung, an astronomer at George Washington University.
Make sure to enjoy the show for as long as the weather permits. Try to avoid using bright lights from your phone, as that can hinder your night vision.
Interestingly, while most meteor showers come from comet debris, the Geminids are quite unique; they originate from 3200 Phaethon, an asteroid that orbits the sun. This discovery has prompted scientists to study the asteroid further, as it challenges traditional notions of what meteor showers are made of.
According to a recent survey, over 60% of people enjoy stargazing as a way to relax and connect with nature. So, whether you’re an astronomy buff or just curious, the Geminids offer a perfect opportunity to marvel at the night sky.
For more in-depth information about meteors and space, check out authoritative sources like [NASA’s meteor page](https://www.nasa.gov/meteor). Happy stargazing!
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