CASPER, Wyo– The Geminid Meteor Shower, “widely recognized as the best annual meteor shower a stargazer can see,” peaks Sunday night into Monday, December 14, according to NASA writer Lance D. Davis.
The display is caused when the earth passes through a trail of debris left by 3200 Phaethon, which is either an asteroid or extinct comet. When that dust or debris is burned by the friction of earth’s atmosphere, the streaks of light are created.
“The Geminid rate will be even better this year, as the shower’s peak overlaps with a nearly new moon, so there will be darker skies and no moonlight to wash out the fainter meteors,” said NASA.
Peak viewing times are 2:00 am local time, and they generally appear from the constellation Gemini, hence the name. The meteors travel at 78,000 mph, over 40 times faster than a bullet” NASA said.
Watching Tips:
“Meteors can generally be seen all over the sky. Avoid watching the radiant because meteors close to it have very short trails and are easily missed. When you see a meteor, try to trace it backwards. If you end up in the constellation Gemini, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a Geminid.”
NASA also says it takes up to 30 minutes for the human eye to adjust to the darkness, and looking at cell phone is good a way to ruin the adjustment.
Observers can expect up to one meteor per minute during the peak.