The Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak this weekend, Dec. 13 & 14 (Sunday evening until dawn Monday). You might also see some meteors leading up to the peak on Dec. 11 & 12.
The Geminids are an easy shower to see if you watch in a dark area away from city lights. The best time is around 2 a.m. for all located around the Earth. In North Texas, a partly cloudy to mostly clear sky is forecasted allowing for good viewing conditions. The meteors will be bold, white and quick.
On a dark night near the peak, you will most likely see 50 or more meteors per hour. This year it is possible to see 150 meteors per hour due to the moon-free sky. A New Moon falls on December 14, 2020. On the mornings prior to that date, you’ll see a waning crescent moon.
The curious rock comet called 3200 Phaethon is the parent body of this shower. The debris shed by 3200 Phaethon crashes into Earth’s upper atmosphere at approximately 80,000 miles per hour. The debris vaporizes as colorful Geminid meteors.
