Geminids meteor shower: How to watch the biggest meteor event of the year

Are you ready for the last and the biggest meteor shower show of 2022? The peak of this annual shooting star spectacle is coming up in mid-December!

Are you ready to do some serious star gazing in December?
Are you ready to do some serious star gazing in December?  © 123rf/cylonphoto

The peak of the annual Geminid meteor shower is almost here.

This natural event is touted by NASA as "one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers."

It's active from November 19 to December 24 in 2022 and predicted to peak on Wednesday, December 14.

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The Geminids unlike most meteor showers are special in that instead of being made up of comet dust, these particular "shooting stars" are really particles from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This asteroid was first discovered in 1983 by NASA.

What's more, this shower boasts bright meteors that tend to be yellow and at their peak it's possible to see some 120 of them streaking across the sky per hour, if the conditions are just right. That makes this shower even more active than the summer star gazing event the Perseids.

The best thing about the Geminids is that it's an astrological phenomenon you can enjoy in full if you can get to a good star gazing spot.

How to see the Geminids meteor shower

Don't worry, you don't have to be able to find the constellation Gemini to see this meteor shower.
Don't worry, you don't have to be able to find the constellation Gemini to see this meteor shower.  © 123rf/icetray

To get the best possible view of the Geminids meteor shower, NASA recommends finding a place without city or streetlights. Light pollution will disrupt your view of the night sky and thus the meteor show.

The best possible star gazing spot will allow you to "lie flat on your back with your feet facing south and look up," per the space agency.

All you need is a place where you can in as much of the sky as possible. After spending some 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will have adjusted and you'll start seeing the meteors.

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The meteors will appear to come from the constellation Gemini, the meteor shower's radiant, which is also where this shower gets its name. Don't worry, you won't have to find Gemini to see this space show. It's visible throughout the night sky and from all over the world. Just make sure to look away from the glow of the waning Moon. Its light may distract from the yellow meteor steaks.

You'll also need favorable weather, specifically clear skies, and hopefully less than bitter cold temperatures. Make sure you’ve got the right winter gear to make your stargazing pleasant on a potentially frigid winter night.

When the Geminid meteor is visible

The Geminids is a great meteor shower to introduce kids to as it stars early.
The Geminids is a great meteor shower to introduce kids to as it stars early.  © 123rf/robertindiana

The Geminids meteor shower runs almost constantly for 24 hours, from November 19 to December 24.

The best time to look up, and make lots of wishes, is on the night it peaks: December 14.

But, per Farmers' almanac, there will also be quite a show on December 13, so be sure to check when the weather is at its best.

The Geminids become visible between 9 and 10 PM and appear all night. That makes it an excellent phenomenon for introducing kids to star gazing. The best time to see the streaks are at night or right before dawn.

So on December 14, 2022, bundle up, pack a thermos of your favorite hot beverage, and go for a nighttime stargazing adventure to see the Geminds meteor shower!

Cover photo: 123rf/cylonphoto

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