Stargazers and astrophiles are in for a treat as an annual celestial event reaches its peak this week.
Astronomers expect the Geminid meteor shower to appear most active during the evening of December 13. Those in rural areas, away from city lights, can expect to see one meteor per minute.
The Geminids, recognized by NASA as “one of the best and most reliable meteor showers,” first appeared in the 1800s. This year’s meteor shower started on November 19 and is expected to remain visible through December 24, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Astronomers anticipate the shower will reach its zenith this week between the evening hours of December 13 and the early morning hours of December 14. NASA reports that the composition of these asteroids will determine their color, noting that magnesium, nickel, and oxygen burned in the atmosphere will produce a green glow.
“Most meteors appear to be colorless or white, however, the Geminids appear with a greenish hue. They’re pretty meteors!” said Bill Cooke, lead for the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, according to NASA.
The space agency recommends that skywatchers view the meteor shower under a clear, dark sky free of obstruction or light pollution and be prepared with warm clothes or blankets — and patience — as they wait for the meteors to appear. It may take up to 30 minutes for one’s eyes to fully adjust to the darkness to see the meteors as they streak across the sky.
Viewers can spot the meteors from any point in the night sky until dawn.
This year, the meteor shower’s peak falls just after the new moon, making the sky a dark canvas especially suited for viewing the meteor spectacle.
