Geminid meteor shower peaks with shooting stars Friday night into Saturday

Stargazers can be in for a treat this weekend as the annual Geminid meteor shower is set to peak overnight Friday and into the early hours of Saturday.

The meteor shower has been going on all month, but shooting stars are expected to increase towards the weekend, especially after midnight on Friday and in the dark before dawn, according to NASA.

The Geminids are visible in the northern and southern hemispheres, although a near-full moon could wash out some fainter shooting stars in this year’s show.

Still, the Geminid meteor shower is typically one of the best and most reliable of the year, so skywatchers could spot some bright ones streaking across the night sky if conditions are clear.

Under ideal skywatching conditions — without strong moonlight and with little light pollution to disturb — as many as 120 Geminids can be seen per hour.

As their name suggests, Geminid meteors appear to stream from the Gemini constellation, but skywatchers should be able to see shooting stars without looking directly at the constellation.

Experts at NASA suggest lying on your back with your feet pointing south to enjoy the Geminids. It is best to choose a viewing location that is dark, away from city lights and other forms of light pollution.

Unlike most other meteor showers, which are caused by bits of debris from comets burning up in Earth’s atmosphere, the Geminids are the remnants of an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon.

Those planning to check out the meteor shower this weekend can also look for Jupiter, which will be visible in the night sky. The planet can be found between the nearly full moon and a red-orange star called Aldebaran, which shines brightest in the Taurus constellation and can be seen with the naked eye.

Throughout the winter, meanwhile, skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere will also have the opportunity to spot the Winter Triangle, a formation of three bright stars. Consisting of Sirius in the constellation Canis Major, Procyon in the constellation Canis Minor, and Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion, this celestial triangle is often prominent in the winter sky.

To see the Winter Triangle, first look for the three stars that make up the signature belt of the constellation Orion. Slightly lower and to the left of the belt, Sirius will be the brightest star in the night sky. From there, Procyon will be slightly higher and to the left. Betelgeuse will be seen by gazing back toward Orion, where the star appears reddish at the shoulder of the constellation.