Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight: Viewing Tips And Live Stream Video

Monday December 13 2021

The best meteor shower of the year has already put on a good show, and it expected to max out tonight December 13th into the early morning of the 14th. The weather will provide us a clear sky, so at best we may see between 50 and 150 meteors per hour.

In this post you can find viewing tips and a LIVE STREAM video from the AllSky7 Network, which cycles through many locations around the US. 

The Geminids 

This is typically a good showing, aided by a long night, compared to the Presides in August. But you will have to contend with the cold weather. 

This year we also have the Waxing Gibbous moon adding additional light to the sky. There is a chance to see the metro shower until Wednesday morning, but the moonlight will play a bigger role then.  

Where To Look

The meteors tend to originate from the star Castor, on the edge of the Gemini constellation. This spans the sky through the full dark night hours from east to west. 

The most optimal time may be midnight to early morning. You can find this constellation almost directly up a midnight, then shifting to the western horizon by daybreak. 

Moonlight

The Waxing Gibbous moon will be sliding down the western sky after midnight, but will have illumination over 79%. It will set just before 3 AM, making the darkest night hours between then and dawn.  So early risers may have the best show (in the western sky- which is the direction where the sun sets).

Last Night’s Show

My friend Mike Hankey is an astronomer in Maryland who has often provided work with the American Meteor Society. He has a network of cameras looking to the sky at night, which he utilized last night. 

In Maryland’s northern Baltimore County he captured 400 meteors. Here is a sample of what saw. He said tonight could total over 1,000!

LIVE Stream Video

If you do not want to brave the cold, or live in an urban area with light pollution, here is that network of cameras that should remain active through the event. Let’s hope the timing works out on screen. 

ALSO SEE

NOAA OUTLOOK: Warm Mid December, Please Let Me Explain

What is Faith in the Flakes: History of December 5th Snow

Winter Outlook Series:

My Call For Snowfall

Last Winter Recap: My Old Outlook And Your Grades Of My Storm Forecasts

Winter Weather Page – Lots of resources

Solar Cycle Increasing Sunspots Suggests More Snow

Comparing 4 Different Farmer’s Almanacs: Majority colder winter outlook than NOAA

NOAA Winter Outlook- But Read The Fine Print

Signals For Early Start To Winter In November

Winter Outlook Series: La Nina Double Dip

Nor’easters May Give Hint For Winter La Nina Pattern

Winter Folklore Checklist