Hundreds of multi-coloured shooting stars set to streak across sky this weekend
It's that time of the year again where our skies are brightened up by hundreds of brightly coloured shooting stars, but apparently this year, the annual meteor shower will appear stronger than usual.
This is widely regarded as the best annual meteor shower yet to be seen. Stargazers can expect to see the Geminids between 4 and 17 December, with the beautiful peak taking place overnight from Sunday 13 to Monday 14 December. Sounds like the perfect night for a picnic under the stars!
NASA says that if you are in the Southern Hemisphere, you may see just 25 percent of the rate in the Northern Hemisphere, depending on your latitude. The Geminids' parent is 3200 Phaethon - which is considered either an asteroid or an extinct comet.
This all happens when trails of dust that have been left behind in the past are stuck in orbit, and when the earth passes through it, the bits of debris burn up as they hit the atmosphere, creating the meteor shower.
But this year it will appear to be at an even faster rate, as the peak of the shower overlaps with an almost new moon, which means the skies will be nearly at their darkest, with no moonlight to wash out the fainter ones.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the best time to view it will be after midnight.
The space agency advised:
If it's not cloudy, get away from bright lights, lie on your back, and look up. Remember to let your eyes get adjusted to the dark - you'll see more meteors that way. Keep in mind, this adjustment can take approximately 30 minutes. Don't look at your cell phone screen, as it will ruin your night vision! Meteors can generally be seen all over the sky. Avoid watching the radiant because meteors close to it have very short trails and are easily missed. When you see a meteor, try to trace it backwards. If you end up in the constellation Gemini, there's a good chance you've seen a Geminid.
The meteors are said to be so bright that 'many people say Geminid meteors show colour. In addition to glowing white, they have been described as appearing yellow, green, or blue'. Let's hope we also get to experience this beautiful moment.