Get ready, stargazers! The highly anticipated Geminids meteor shower is set to illuminate the night sky this weekend, peaking late Friday and into the early hours of Saturday. Often hailed as one of the most reliable meteor showers, the Geminids are known for their brilliant yellow streaks and can deliver up to 120 meteors per hour at their peak, according to NASA.

This celestial event occurs every December, but there's more to it than just dazzling displays. Unlike typical meteors that originate from comets, the Geminids spring from an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon, which is almost 3 miles wide and completes an orbit around the sun every 1.4 years. Named after a character in Greek mythology who drove his father's sun chariot too closely to the sun, Phaethon offers a unique origin story for these celestial phenomena.

But not all is perfect in the realm of shooting stars this year! Astronomers have a warning: the presence of the Cold Moon, the last full moon of 2023, will significantly impact visibility. Bill Cooke from NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office predicts that the full moon's brightness could reduce meteor visibility by 50% to 75%. So instead of the usual 120 meteors per hour, those lucky enough to be in the U.S. may see just around 15.

To best experience the Geminids, timing and location are key. The meteors are most visible during the night and predawn hours, throughout the world. Starting Thursday, you may catch glimpses of meteors, but on peak night, find a place far from city lights. Experts recommend giving your eyes about 15 minutes to adjust to the darkness, maximizing your chances of spotting these cosmic treasures.

You don’t need any fancy equipment either! Dr. Dakotah Tyler from UCLA advises against telescopes, stating that they can limit your field of view and cause you to miss bright meteors that appear sporadically. So grab a cozy blanket, perhaps some hot cocoa, and enjoy the show!

As we look ahead, there’s good news for enthusiastic meteor watchers: the Geminids will shine even brighter in December 2025, thanks to more favorable moon phases. But don't despair if this year doesn't meet your expectations; the Ursids meteor shower is also on the horizon, peaking between December 21 and early December 22.

For those who love celestial sights beyond meteors, this is a fantastic time to spot planets like Mars, which is becoming more luminous as it approaches Earth. With binoculars or a telescope, you might even catch a glimpse of Saturn's magnificent rings!

So, mark your calendars, prepare your viewing spot, and embrace the magic of the Geminids — it might just be the highlight of your December!