Geminid meteor shower across the December Sky

Here is a chance to see some meteors or shooting stars this month of December. Every year in mid-December, Earth runs into a stream of debris from an extinct coment, 3200 Phaethon. This causes meteors to fly from the constellation Gemini, thus the name Geminids meteor shower.

This year's Geminid meteor shower promises to be lively, with 50-80 meteors per hour and potential peaks reaching 120 meteors per hour. Anytime between December 12-16 is a valid window for Geminid-watching, but the night of Dec. 13-14 is the anticipated peak.

According to Wikipedia, the meteors in this shower can appear almost anywhere in the night sky, and often appear yellowish in hue. The meteors travel at medium speed in relation to other showers, at about 22 miles per second, making them fairly easy to spot. The Geminids are now considered by many to be the most consistent and active annual shower. So watch the skies from mid-Dec onwards for a meteor shower treat.

If the weather is uncooperative or too cold for Geminid-watching, you can always watch live feeds on the NASA site on the night of Dec 13-14.

Enjoy! and don't forget to make a wish!

Related article:
Geminid Observing Tips

Image source: Wikipedia