CAPE CANAVERAL, FL (352today.com) – In addition to the holiday lights decorating houses and community gardens this time of year, you and your family will be treated to a light show in the skies this week.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) says the Geminid meteors will peak overnight on Wednesday, Dec. 13, into the early morning hours of Thursday, Dec. 14.
You can look for meteors as early as 9 p.m. Wednesday night with the hourly number increasing after midnight.
NASA says at its peak you may see a shooting star every minute.
“Most meteors appear to be colorless or white, however the Geminids appear with a greenish hue,” said Bill Cooke, lead for NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office. “They’re pretty meteors!”
Best Viewing
For prime viewing, experts say find an area away from city and streetlights.
NASA says the meteors got their name because they appear to radiate from the “Twins” constellation Gemini. But scientists from the space agency say you’ll see more shooting stars if you take in as much of the sky as possible and not just focus on Gemini.
Clouds may make it a bit more difficult to see the light show. The National Weather Service (NWS) says the forecast for Wednesday night is mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
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If you’re going to make this a family activity, grab a blanket. NASA says it’s best to lie flat on your back with your feet facing south and look up.
“Practice patience because it will take approximately 30 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust and see the meteors,” said NASA.
The experts suggest leaving the cell phones indoors in order to keep your eyes adjusted to the night sky.
The show will last for most of the night, so you have multiple opportunities to spot the brilliant streaks of light across our sky.
What are Meteors?
NASA says meteors come from leftover comet particles and bits from asteroids.
“When these objects come around the sun, they leave a dusty trail behind them,” said NASA. “Every year Earth passes through these debris trails, which allows the bits to collide with our atmosphere where they disintegrate to create fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.”
The Geminid shower originates from the debris of 3200 Phaethon, an asteroid first discovered in 1983.
The last opportunity to see the Geminids shooting stars is Sunday, Dec. 17.