Attention Stargazers: Don't Miss the Geminid Meteor Shower

Of all the meteor showers you don't want to miss, the 2018 Geminids may be most spectacular. Find out when and why.

Photographer Jeff Sullivan shoots just about every astronomical event he can find. According to him, the upcoming meteor shower should be one to remember. It is so rare to have a great meteor shower and favorable moon conditions at the same time. The current moon phase is ideal compared to the next few years of the Perseids and Geminids, meaning it will be your best chance to capture some amazing shots until we are all the way into 2021.

Did you know that the Geminids came from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, the first object in space to blur the lines between a comet and an asteroid? Apparently meteor showers are much more common with comets, but this three-mile wide rock has a lot going on behind it. The meteor shower actually happens because the Earth passes right through part of the dust and debris trail left behind by the large asteroid as it orbits the sun.

The best way to see or capture some streaking meteors would be to wait for the darkest sky after the moon sets and before dawn tomorrow morning, December 14.

Take a look at Space.com for their entire thorough breakdown on where and when to look.

Lead image used with permission by Jeff Sullivan.