What's cooler than a meteor shower? A meteor shower and super moon combo.
The Geminids meteor shower, an annual spectacle whose source is the 3200 Phaethon asteroid, is expected to peak during the evening of December 13 until dawn of December 14, which is when December's supermoon is expected to appear as well.
Observed for the first time just a mere 150 years ago, the Geminids meteor shower is "considered one of the most prolific celestial shows of the year, averaging 120 meteors per hour during its peak."
The result of the supermoon/meteor shower combo? "The additional light from the moon will reduce visibility of meteors five- to tenfold," explains Bustle. "What is normally an incredible display will be a fleeting moment in the sky, easy to miss but there nonetheless."
Visible to the naked eye, you won't need any sort of equipment to catch the event. Here are some tips you'll want to follow, though:
- Try to stay away from city light
- Allow your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness
- The best way to catch the event is to lay down on the ground and look upward
- Find a spot that grants your eyes full access to the dark, open sky