Look Up: Geminid meteor shower expected to be best of 2020

News

by: Caroline Bleakley

Posted: Dec 9, 2020 / 12:00 PM CST / Updated: Dec 9, 2020 / 11:29 AM CST

VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK, NEVADA – DECEMBER 14: A Geminid meteor streaks to the right of one of the peaks of the Seven Sisters rock formation early on December 14, 2018 in the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. The meteor display, known as the Geminid meteor shower because it appears to radiate from the constellation Gemini, is thought to be the result of debris cast off from an asteroid-like object called 3200 Phaethon. The shower is visible every December. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Stargazers have the opportunity to see what is being called the best meteor shower of the year this weekend.

The Geminid meteor shower will peak overnight Sunday into Monday morning and there should be excellent viewing because there will be no moon in the night sky.

During the shower, there are between 50 to 150 shooting stars every hour. It’s best viewed away from city lights and the best viewing will be around 2 a.m. (PT).

VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK, NEVADA – DECEMBER 14: A Geminid meteor streaks between peaks of the Seven Sisters rock formation early on December 14, 2018 in the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. The meteor display, known as the Geminid meteor shower because it appears to radiate from the constellation Gemini, is thought to be the result of debris cast off from an asteroid-like object called 3200 Phaethon. The shower is visible every December. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Geminid Meteor shower is active from Dec. 4 – 17 but is most visible on Dec. 13 and 14.

According to Astromy.com, the Geminids have been traced back to an asteroid, 3200 Phaethon, whose highly inclined orbit carries it around the Sun once every 1.4 years. This orbit brings it closer to our star than any other asteroid.