Where Is the Geminids Meteor Shower Visible?

The Geminid meteor shower is set to peak, but when will this spectacular celestial event reach its high point and where can you see it?

This annual meteor shower is active between November 19 and December 24, figures from the American Meteor Society (AMS) show.

Usually considered the strongest meteor shower of the year, the Geminids are expected to peak on the night of December 13-14, when rates can approach one meteor per minute during the morning hours in ideal viewing conditions.

But this year, viewing on the peak night will be somewhat hampered due to the bright moon, which will be 72 percent full, rising at around 10 p.m. local time in most locations.

As a result, fewer Geminid meteors will be visible than on the average peak. Despite this, the AMS said it will still be possible to see a number of meteors, assuming the skies are clear where you are.

Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through streams of cosmic debris left behind by comets and, in some rare cases, asteroids. During these events, numerous meteors can be seen streaking across the sky, appearing to originate from a single point—known as the radiant.

Meteors—colloquially referred to as shooting stars—are the streaks of light we see in the sky when tiny fragments of space debris burn up in the Earth's atmosphere at high speed.

The Geminids are unusual in that they are one of the rare meteor showers associated with an asteroid and not a comet. The debris that causes the shower is linked to the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which measures about 3 miles across.

The asteroid is named after the son of the sun-god, Helios, in Greek mythology who lost control of his father's chariot one day and nearly set the Earth on fire. The name originated from the fact that this asteroid has an orbit that brings it closer to the sun than any other named asteroid.

Despite being classified as an asteroid, Phaethon has some characteristics that resemble those of a comet. For example, it sometimes appears to eject dust when it nears the sun—as is common with comets.

The radiant of the Geminids lies in the Gemini constellation, hence the name. The Geminids are are the only major meteor showers that provide good activity before midnight because its radiant is well-placed from 10 p.m. onwards.

Geminid meteors tend to be bright and intensely colored, although they don't usually have persistent trains—trails of vaporized material that can glow for several minutes.

The shower can be seen in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, although only during the middle of the night in the latter and at a reduced rate.

The AMS considers the Geminids to be "the most dependable" shower of the year, but the fact it is active in the Northern Hemisphere winter means weather conditions can often often obscure the event in this region.

Notable activity for this shower tends to begin around December 10, when hourly rates seen during the morning hours can reach double-digits. Activity continues to increase until the peak before trailing off again.

Where to See the Geminid Meteor Shower

For the best views, astronomers recommend heading to a location with open skies, away from light pollution. Bringing a lounge chair or something else to sit or lie on is also a good idea so you can observe the sky comfortably.

"For any skywatching event, make sure to find a spot with an unobstructed view of the sky, away from city lights, and to dress warmly in the colder months," Tania de Sales Marques, a planetarium astronomer from the Royal Observatory Greenwich in London, told Newsweek.

"Wait 15-20 minutes to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark, and just wait for the beautiful trails to paint the sky," she said.

You do not necessarily need to look in the direction of the radiant to spot a Geminid meteor, although they will appear to shoot outward from this point, which can help to identify them, so it is good keep Gemini in view.

"Remember that you might spot meteors anytime during the period that the shower is active and to look all around, not only in the direction of the radiant," Marques said.

Peak viewing time for Geminid activity is between 11 a.m. and 4 a.m. local time when the radiant lies highest in the sky. But this year, the AMS said it might be a good idea to observe the meteor shower between dusk and moonrise where you are on December 13, given the bright moon.

Activity is lower at this time of night, but there will be a lack of moonlight, which could help you to see the fainter Geminids.

If you can't view the shower on the peak night or the weather isn't ideal, you can try again in the evening hours of December 14 and 15. While rates will reduce by around 50 percent each night, the shower is still active enough to provide a decent show.