To witness the spectacular Geminids meteor shower, head outdoors in late December, when the radiant of the Gemini constellation is high in the sky. This will ensure that meteors from the shower appear throughout the entire sky, rather than just around the radiant itself.
Begin by locating a spot with minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view of the northern horizon. Give your eyes about half an hour to adjust to the darkness before proceeding.
Use only your naked eye; using binoculars or telescopes can prevent you from seeing meteors because they travel too quickly through the lenses. It is also advisable to turn off any electronic devices that could emit moonlight and interfere with your ability to see shooting stars.
Pay attention to the time, since the Geminids' radiant will be above the horizon for nearly all of December's night sky. The radiant will reach its highest point around 2 am local time, resulting in a meteor shower that lasts throughout the night.
When viewing the Geminids meteor shower, you'll see numerous yellow-colored meteors with some having green or blue tones; however, other hues such as red, orange, and purple are also possible. This meteor shower is not caused by comets but rather by leftover debris from an asteroid.
The Southern Delta Aquariids and Perseid meteor showers will also be active during the same time period in late July and early August, respectively. The Geminids will surpass them in terms of peak activity and brightness.
Begin by locating a spot with minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view of the northern horizon. Give your eyes about half an hour to adjust to the darkness before proceeding.
Use only your naked eye; using binoculars or telescopes can prevent you from seeing meteors because they travel too quickly through the lenses. It is also advisable to turn off any electronic devices that could emit moonlight and interfere with your ability to see shooting stars.
Pay attention to the time, since the Geminids' radiant will be above the horizon for nearly all of December's night sky. The radiant will reach its highest point around 2 am local time, resulting in a meteor shower that lasts throughout the night.
When viewing the Geminids meteor shower, you'll see numerous yellow-colored meteors with some having green or blue tones; however, other hues such as red, orange, and purple are also possible. This meteor shower is not caused by comets but rather by leftover debris from an asteroid.
The Southern Delta Aquariids and Perseid meteor showers will also be active during the same time period in late July and early August, respectively. The Geminids will surpass them in terms of peak activity and brightness.