Tonight is the night!

The Geminid meteor shower, renowned as one of the best and most dependable celestial events of the year, is reaching its peak from Friday night into the early hours of Saturday. But there's a twist this year: nearly full moonlight could obscure the spectacle, making it more challenging to catch a glimpse of these stunning shooting stars.

NASA warns that the moonlight will diminish the visibility of the fainter meteors during the peak, potentially reducing the visible rates by as much as 50-75%. However, don’t be discouraged! The Geminids are famous for their bright meteors, which means that dedicated observers still have a solid chance to spot them. According to NASA, you might catch a glimpse of these cosmic wonders even a week before they peak.

When and Where to Watch the Show

Despite the bright moon lighting up the sky, Bill Cooke, lead of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office, suggests that observers in the U.S. could still see around 15 meteors per hour tonight. Mark your calendars: tonight is not the best year for Geminid watching, but 2025 promises to be a much better year for sky-gazing!

To improve your meteor-watching experience, try to position yourself far from city lights and streetlamps. The best viewing setup? Lie down flat on your back with your feet facing south, and give your eyes about half an hour to adjust to the darkness. A comfortable sleeping bag or blanket is also recommended to fend off the chill of the night air.

The Geminids generally start illuminating the sky around 9 or 10 p.m., but the best time to watch is typically during the night or in the pre-dawn hours.

What Are Meteor Showers?

So, what exactly are these mesmerizing meteors? They are essentially space rocks that enter the Earth's atmosphere at high speeds, heating up as they descend. This interaction creates the dazzling trails we see, known as shooting stars. During meteor showers, many of these meteors fill the sky in a short period, giving us a breathtaking display!

It's estimated that while most meteors disintegrate in the atmosphere, a rare few make it to the ground, classifying them as meteorites.

Why Are the Geminids Special?

Among all annual meteor showers, the Geminids stand out for several reasons. Under ideal conditions, they can produce up to 120 meteors per hour! Interestingly, unlike most meteor showers that originate from comets, the Geminids come from an asteroid named 3200 Phaethon. NASA describes this asteroid as behaving like a "weird" comet.

Color-wise, while the majority of meteors appear colorless or white, Geminids typically showcase a delightful yellow hue. First recorded in the mid-1800s, this spectacular meteor shower has captivated stargazers for generations.

So grab your blankets, cozy up, and don’t miss out on this dazzling celestial show tonight!