When is the best time to watch the Geminid meteor shower this weekend?

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The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most reliable and spectacular shows of the year, reaches its peak activity on the night of Saturday, December 13th until the early hours of Sunday, December 14th.

Although Geminid meteors can be spotted throughout the night, the best time to view them is after midnight until the early hours before dawn, when rates are typically highest.

This is the best time, because the Gemini constellationthe shower is radiant, rising higher into the sky as the night wears on. As Earth rotates in the debris stream left by asteroid 3200 Phaethon, more meteors will streak across the sky. In perfect dark sky conditions, eagle-eyed meteor hunters may be able to spot up to 150. meteors per hour.

The Geminids will begin to appear mid-evening, so you won’t need to stay up all night to catch a glimpse of the show. However, those who venture out early in the morning of December 14 will have the best chance of seeing brighter and longer meteor trails.

Where should you look to see the Geminid meteors?

THE Geminid meteor shower owes its name to the constellation from which meteors seem to radiate, Gemini. The constellation is located northeast of Orion, between Bull and Cancer. It is relatively easy to spot thanks to its two bright stars Beaver And Polluxmarking the heads of the celestial twins.

That said, when looking for a meteor shower, never look directly at the radiant. Meteors close to the radiant produce shorter streaks and are harder to see. Instead, look toward the darkest part of the sky, slightly away from the radiation, scanning nearby. constellations for longer, more spectacular shooting stars.

For the best experience, don’t forget to wrap up warm and give your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy one of the most remarkable skywatching events of the year. Looking to take a photo of the Geminids meteor shower? Check out our how to photograph a meteor shower guide for more information.

Editor’s note: If you capture a stunning view of the Geminids meteor shower or any other view of the night sky that you’d like to share with Space.com for a possible story, send images and comments to: spacephotos@space.com.