HOUSTON – The Geminid meteor shower will be at its best after dark on Thursday and before dawn on Friday, according to the editors of StarDate magazine.
The Geminids are one of the most reliable meteor showers. This year, sky-watchers can expect to see dozens of meteors per hour, and the new Moon will not interfere with the shower.
The Geminid shower was the first to be linked to an asteroid. Most meteor showers occur when Earth crosses the orbit of a comet. Though the Geminid shower was discovered in the 1860s, it was in 1983 that astronomers identified Phaethon as the shower's source.
For your best view of the Geminid meteors, get away from city lights. Look for state or city parks or other safe, dark sites.
Lie on a blanket or reclining chair to get a full-sky view. If you can see all of the stars in the Little Dipper, you have good dark-adapted vision.
The George Observatory at the Houston Museum of Natural Science will be open until 1 a.m. Friday for people to watch the meteor shower.