Brilliant Geminid Meteor Shower to Peak December 13 - 14

Aimee Herd : Dec 12, 2007
Joe Rao – FOX News

"If you have not seen a mighty Geminid fireball arcing gracefully across an expanse of sky, then you have not seen a meteor."

According to astronomers, the annual Geminid meteor shower, is the best of all—reportedly even better than the August Perseids shower.

An article in FOX News states that the Geminid meteors, are "four times denser" than others, and carry a reputation of being bright fireballs with a medium-slow arch across the sky, but with little trail or streaks. (Photo: Laist.com)

Said to be the "most satisfying" of meteor showers, the Geminid is expected to peak on December 13th and 14th. The astro-activity should be most visible to those from "central Asia eastwards across the Pacific Ocean to Alaska," including North America.

Some of the "earth-grazer" meteors may be seen just after sunset, close to the horizon, but the majority of the meteor shower is best viewed high in the sky, between 10pm and 2am.

Of course, in the Northern parts, this time of year, it can be quite cold while waiting to see meteors. A lecturer at New York City’s Hayden Planetarium, the late Henry Neely commented on the Geminid wait, saying, "Take the advice of a man whose teeth have chattered on many a winter's night—wrap up much more warmly than you think is necessary!"