See the Geminids Meteor Shower This Weekend Over Indiana & Kentucky

Those of us that love to look to the stars are in for a treat this weekend as some of the fastest meteors lights up the sky over Indiana, Kentucky and beyond.

More Than a Shooting Star

Often called shooting stars, meteors can be seen with the naked eye as they blaze through the night sky, but what exactly is a meteor, and what makes a meteor shower? According to NASA, meteors are nothing more than space rocks, and the friction created as it moves through the Earth's atmosphere generates heat. A lot of these rocks all at once are called meteor showers. The streak that you see across the night sky is actually just the glow of the air as the rock passes through.

Flying Rocks?

The idea of intergalactic rocks hurling toward Earth sounds a little scary, but NASA says that we really don't have anything to worry about since meteoroids are generally very small and burn up quickly. There is very little threat of one of them actually striking the planet.

How To Watch a Meteor Shower

You will want to find someplace away from the lights of the city. The darker the area you're in, the better. It can take nearly 20 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the dark, allowing you to see the night sky more clearly. Be sure you allow yourself time to acclimate to the dark and avoid other light sources like phones or flashlights. You don't typically need any additional gear or lenses to view most meteor showers either.

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When To See A Meteor Shower

There are a number of meteor showers that take place over the course of a calendar year. The Geminids meteor shower is one of the most well-known taking place annually. NASA says that the Geminids meteor shower is considered to the be "one of the best" and "most reliable" of all the meteor showers that take place each year.

How Many Meteors Can We Expect to See with the Geminids?

The Geminids produce about 120 meteors per hour. They travel at about 22 miles per second across the night sky. The Geminids are a great option for viewing with the kids, too as they usually start earlier than many others. You can expect to begin seeing them around 9 or 10 pm.

When To See the Geminids Meteor Shower

You can experience the Geminids Meteor Shower from November 19 through December 24, 2024. They are expected to peak with the greatest number occurring per hour between December 13th and December 14th.

What the Moon Will Mean for the Peak of the Geminids

Unfortunately, the moon will be very close to full at 98% illumination at that time the Geminids peak and may make it more challenging to see fainter meteors. The moon will rise the evening of the 13th from the Northeast at approximately 2:50 PM CST and will set in the Northwest at approximately 6:24 AM CST on December 14th, according to TimeAndDate.com. The good news is that the Geminids will still be active throughout almost the entire month of December.

READ MORE: See An Ultra Rare Moonbow in Kentucky

What To Know Before You Go Watch a Meteor Shower

Before you head out to watch the meteor showers, it is a good idea to have an idea of a safe place to view them, particularly if you won't be viewing them from your own backyard. You'll want to be sure that you don't inadvertently find yourself trespassing while trying to get a good view of the night sky. And, since it is the midwestern, bug spray might be a good idea before you head outside. However and wherever you end up stargazing, I hope when you see one of the meteors that you pause to enjoy the magic of the moment and don't forget to make a wish.