WASHINGTON — One of the best and brightest celestial displays of the year is about to peak this week.
The Geminids, an annual meteor shower that takes the spotlight around mid-December, is set to peak on Friday night, Dec. 13, into Saturday morning, Dec. 14, 2024.
During peak activity and with clear skies, up to 120 meteors per hour are visible. According to NASA, under good conditions, you may even see a meteor every minute.
However, conditions are a little less favorable this year for star seekers as the Geminids will peak under a nearly full moon — reducing visibility of the usually bright and colorful meteors.
According to NASA, stargazers may want to be on the lookout as the meteors may still be spotted the week before the Geminids reach their peak.
Most meteors tend to appear colorless or white, but the Geminids often show a greenish hue, according to NASA. It's considered "one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers," according to the space agency.
How to watch the Geminids meteor shower?
The Geminids will be visible around the world and are best viewed during the night and predawn hours, NASA says.
As with all meteor showers, favorable weather conditions must be in play to garner the best view of the celestial display. Unlike last year, the nearly full moon could wash out some meteors during the peak night in 2024.
What time is the meteor shower?
The Geminid meteor shower will peak after midnight Friday and into the early hours Saturday.
The number of meteors seen increases throughout the night, with some of the best rates around midnight and into the morning twilight hours.
NASA recommends finding a spot away from city lights and bringing a sleeping bag or blanket, depending on winter temperatures in your area.
For an optimal view, lie flat on your back with your feet facing south and look up. Don't worry if you don't spot meteors right away, as it may take up to half an hour for your eyes to adjust to the dark.
Meteors will appear to come from the Gemini constellation, where they get their namesake. However, NASA suggests that viewers should focus on more than just that constellation, as meteors can be seen throughout the night sky.
The point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate is called a radiant. These "radiants" are constellations that are named as a guide to help stargazers determine which meteor shower they are viewing at the time. It's important to note that these constellations are not the source of the meteors.
Where do the Geminids originate from?
The Geminids, set apart from other meteor showers by their bright, colorful streaks, come from a different source.
Most meteor showers originate from comets, but the Geminids come from an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon. Discovered in 1983 by astronomer Fred Whipple, the small asteroid was named after a Greek mythological figure who drove the sun god's chariot.
Phaethon's status as an asteroid is up for question though as NASA says it could be a "dead comet" or a "rock comet" — an asteroid that gets so close to the sun that the heat scorches off dusty pieces.
Whether a comet or an asteroid, the Geminids originate from Phaethon and are the reason behind the annual celestial event that fills the night with brilliant, colorful streaks.
