One of the biggest meteor showers of the year will peak this week
One of the biggest shows of the year for sky watchers, the Geminid Meteor shower, is forecast to peak on Wednesday, December 13, and Thursday, December 14, 2023.
During peak activity and perfect weather conditions, the Geminids can produce approximately 100-120 meteors per hour, which can be visible by the naked eye. Geminid meteors tend to be bold, white, and fast-moving.
In 2023, the new moon falls on December 12, so there will be a dark sky during the meteor shower’s peak. Meteors may be seen as early as 8 p.m., but the best viewing will be after midnight, and specifically, around 2:00 a.m. on the 14th.
The Geminids are active for most of the month, (from late November through December 20), and a second major shower – the Ursids – will also be prevalent later in the year.
The Ursids Meteor Shower runs from December 17 until December 26, and will peak on the night of December 22. This is a much smaller event than the Geminids, with an average of 10 shooting stars per hour, but the Ursids have been known to produce over 150 meteors per hour in a very good year.
For more information on December’s night sky highlights, click here.
