Even under the best conditions, you’ll be lucky to see 30 meteors in a high-performance sky. The moon will beautifully light up the sky during the early morning hours of December 14! Renowned for having the brightest and most colorful meteors, the Geminids are widely viewed as the best meteor shower of the year. Prepare for an amazing spectacle during this cosmic catastrophe! During perfect meteor-viewing circumstances, you can witness as many as 120 meteors streaking through the sky each hour.
The Geminid meteor shower comes from debris left behind by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This time you will have a very special chance. They create meteor showers from asteroids instead of dust trails from comets. Minute particles of cosmic dust and debris, mostly smaller than a grain of sand, become meteors as they enter Earth’s atmosphere. As they burn up, they produce beautiful trails of light called shooting stars.
Viewing the Geminid Meteor Shower
The peak of the Geminid meteor shower is an ideal time to experience this stunning celestial spectacle. Join us to experience this spectacular viewing opportunity up-close! We strongly recommend for all observers to seek dark sky locations free from the interference caused by light pollution for the fullest experience.
The zenithal hourly rate is the maximum count of meteors at which we’d expect to see them when the meteor shower’s radiant point is directly overhead. Even under those perfect conditions, viewers can hope to witness a stunning meteor count. Jonti Horner, an astrophysicist, reminds us that although a lot of meteors will be visible, they won’t be coming in at a steady pace.
“It’s not one every six minutes,” – Jonti Horner
That means a lot of patience will be needed as skywatchers wait for the breathtaking fireworks display. The best viewing time is around 4 AM or 5 AM local time, depending on daylight savings time changes.
Preparing for the Meteor Shower
For anyone getting ready to see the Geminids, our experts suggest a few tips to help make the most of your viewing experience. Perhaps the most important factor is it needs to be done somewhere that has low light pollution. Places further from the glow of city lights will have darker skies and more visible meteors.
Moreover, it is important that viewers allow their eyes to acclimatize with the low-lighting conditions for best results. Sitting back and relaxing beneath the twinkling canvas of the night sky will enrich the experience no doubt. Horner urges watchers to embrace the ride without an agenda.
“Relax under the stars and just see what you see.” – Jonti Horner
This laid-back attitude translates to an e-learning experience that feels fun and accessible. Viewers will enjoy exceptional views of the night sky while experiencing an incredible display of nature’s fireworks.
What to Expect After the Peak
Don’t fret if you can’t catch the peak of the Geminid meteor shower on December 14! There’s still time to see how this year’s stunning show unfolds. The celestial show further continues for a few nights after, with decreasing meteors still to be seen.
It is important for observers to stay alert in the days after the peak, as occasional meteors are likely to still be lighting up night skies. It’s a good idea for eclipse chasers to consult local short-term forecasts if clouds might affect visibility.
