14 Dec 2014

Last night of the Geminid: how to view meteor shower

Sky-watchers brave freezing temperatures to enjoy a celestial firework display as one of the year’s most spectacular meteor showers reached its fiery peak.

Clear skies, which sent the thermometer plunging, ensured a good view of the Geminid meteor shower.

Read more: What is a meteor? The key questions

Astronomers said the weather conditions expected were close to perfect for the annual spectacle.

The best time to view the Geminids are said to be between 9pm (UK time) and before dusk.

Unlike most other meteor showers, the Geminids are not associated with a comet but with an asteroid – the 3200 Phaethon. The asteroid takes about 1.4 years to orbit around the Sun.

Geminid meteor shower in Macedonia

At their height, the Geminids could produce between 50 and 100 shooting stars every hour.

‘Close to perfect conditions’

Robin Scagell, vice-president of the Society for Popular Astronomy, said: “It should be a good display, weather permitting – we might not be far off perfect conditions in the UK.

“The constellation is very high in the sky and most of the moon will have gone away. An average of one comet a minute would be a good rate, and that’s possible. You might also get little bursts of activity with two or three together.”

How to view the Geminids

Get out of the city to a place where city and artificial lights do not impede your viewing

If you are out viewing the shower during its peak, you will not need any special equipment. You should be able to see the shower with your naked eyes.

Carry a blanket or a comfortable chair with you - viewing meteors, just like any other kind of star gazing is a waiting game, and you need to be comfortable. Plus, you may not want to leave until you can’t see the majestic celestial fireworks anymore.

Check the weather and moonrise and moonset timings for your location before you leave, and plan your viewing around it.

Images of the Geminids were posted across social media: