Geminid Meteor Shower to Peak Next Week with Stunning Cosmic Display

The annual meteor shower, known for its bright and colorful meteors, will be most visible on December 12 and 13 despite challenges from a bright moon.

• The Geminid meteor shower, active from December 2 to December 21, will peak on the nights of December 12 and 13, with up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.
• The shower originates from debris left by asteroid 3200 Phaethon, making it unique compared to most meteor showers, which are caused by comets.
• This year's nearly full moon may make it harder to see fainter meteors during the peak, but bright meteors can still be observed earlier in the week.
• NASA recommends viewing the Geminids from a dark location away from city lights, starting around 9 or 10 p.m. local time and continuing into the pre-dawn hours.
• The Geminids are known for their vibrant colors, such as yellow and green, caused by the chemical composition of the meteoroids as they burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

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