A Guide to Capturing the Spectacular Geminid Meteor Shower, One of the Year’s Most Intense Displays

The Geminids, one of the few prominent meteor showers originating from asteroids, will reach their peak on Friday. This presents one of the final opportunities of the year to witness brilliant fireballs lighting up the night sky.

According to Sally Brummel, the planetarium manager at the University of Minnesota’s Bell Museum, the meteors are often characterized by a more yellow hue, likely due to the unique materials from which they originate.

Given ideal viewing conditions, the Geminids are known for delivering one of the brightest and most vibrant displays of the year, thanks to the substantial number of meteors observable each hour. However, this year, the near-full moon is expected to limit visibility, with about 15 meteors per hour anticipated at peak, as noted by the American Meteor Society.

Brummel mentioned that the moonlight will likely obscure many of the meteors.

The viewing period extends until December 21. Here is essential information about the Geminids and other meteor showers.

What Is a Meteor Shower?

Numerous meteor showers take place each year, and no specialized equipment is necessary to observe them.

Most meteor showers derive from comet debris, but a select few, including the Geminids, are linked to asteroid debris. The Geminids originate from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which orbits the sun.

As space rocks penetrate Earth’s atmosphere, they encounter air resistance, causing them to heat up significantly. This results in glowing air surrounding them and leaving behind a brief fiery tail—the hallmark of a “shooting star.”

The illuminated areas of air around these fast-moving celestial objects, which can vary in size from small dust particles to large boulders, may be visible against the night sky.

The Geminids’ rocky debris composition further increases the likelihood of fireballs, according to NASA’s William Cooke. “These are resilient rocks that can dive deep into the atmosphere,” he explained.

How to View a Meteor Shower

Meteor showers are most visible in the hours between midnight and dawn.

To enhance your chances of seeing shooting stars, find dark skies away from city light pollution. Meteor showers look brightest on nights free from clouds, especially when there’s minimal moonlight.

Avoid checking your phone to allow your eyes to acclimate for better meteor viewing.

When Is the Next Meteor Shower?

The next meteor shower, the Ursids, will peak on December 22.

By Christina Larson