If you are a fan of stargazing, you won’t want to miss the peak of the Geminid meteor shower coming Wednesday night.
How to watch the meteor shower
Look up from about 10 p.m. Wednesday through 3 a.m. on Thursday for the best viewing. The best time to watch for meteors in the hours around 2 a.m. when Gemini is at its highest in the sky.
The Geminids can produce up to 120 shooting stars per hour.
Clouds and moonlight, the things that usually spoil a meteor shower, wont be a problem this year. Mostly clear skies are forecasted for Wednesday evening with clearing continued through peak viewing time at 2 a.m. through sunrise.
To see the most meteors
- The longer you look, the more you’ll see. There may be quiet periods followed by two or three meteors per minute. Be patient and….
- Bundle up. Temperatures will be in the 20s and 30s.
- Give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust. You will be surprised how many more stars will be visible. Also leave your phone inside. Each time you look at it, the timer on regaining your night vision starts over.
- Look to the darkest part of the sky. That might not be to the east toward the constellation Gemini. That’s okay, meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
- Meteors should be visible by 10 p.m. Earlier than that, many meteors will be hidden below the horizon as Gemini rises.
Of course, light pollution will impact how much you can see, so the best location is one far from city lights. The good news is that the moon will be almost new, so it will be less bright allowing for a better view of the shooting star spectacle.
Our skies should be clear on Wednesday night, but that also means cold. If you plan to head out to look for the meteor shower, be sure to bundle up.
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Dr. Sarah Adams is a scientist and science communicator who makes complex topics accessible to all. Her articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
