Look Up To See This Year S Geminid Meteor Shower In Nebraska

Look up to the skies now through Christmas Eve and you’ll be treated to one of our favorite natural shows: the Geminid Meteor Shower. This annual meteor shower started on November 19th and will be visible through December 24th, with the peak happening on December 14th.

The Geminid meteor shower is one of the most spectacular celestial events of the year. It’s appropriate that it happens right before Christmas because this display is a gift from nature.

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There’s something truly unique about the Geminids. While most meteor showers are caused by comets, the Geminid meteor shower is associated with an asteroid known as Phaethon.

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The Geminid meteors are prized for their brightness, and the annual shower is more active than most others. On a clear, moonless night, you can spot up to 150 meteors per hour.

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Unfortunately, 2022 won’t offer ideal conditions for the meteor shower; the moon will be at about 70% brightness when the shower is peaking on December 14th.

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But don’t let that deter you. Simply go to a dark place with as little light pollution as possible. Luckily for us, Nebraska is home to the world’s newest Newest Dark Sky Reserve! Take a blanket and a thermos of hot chocolate to Merritt Reservoir, lie back, and watch the “falling stars” paint the night sky.

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The best time to view the meteor shower will be the night of December 13th into the early morning hours of the 14th. The moon sets around 2 a.m., making the hours between 2 a.m. and sunrise prime sky-gazing time.

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To get your eyes ready for the meteor shower, turn off all lights (including the screen of your cell phone) and give your eyes around 30 minutes to adjust to the dark. The wait is definitely worth it! Are you planning to view the Geminids this year? Tell us about your plans in the comments!