The best meteor shower of the year is this week: How to watch the Geminids in Fort Collins
The best meteor shower of the year is taking place this week, with the Geminids expected to put on a show not one but two nights, weather permitting.
From a sheer meteor numbers standpoint, this month's Geminids show beats August's Perseids with the possibility of seeing up to more than 100 meteors per hour.
Here's what you need to know to enjoy the show, according to NASA, Space.com and Sky & Telescope:
When is prime time for the Geminids meteor shower in Colorado?
The nights of Wednesday, Dec. 13, and Thursday, Dec. 14, with Thursday considered peak.
You can start watching just after twilight. Viewing picks up starting around 10 p.m. MST, reaches its zenith around 2 a.m. and continues with good viewing until pre-dawn.
Will the moon and weather impact viewing of the Geminids meteor shower
The good news is the moon will be in a skinny waxing crescent phase low in the west-southwest sky at dusk. That will result in a dark moon, making for ideal viewing conditions.
However, the National Weather Service forecast calls for a 20% chance of snow before midnight and mostly cloudy conditions Wednesday night.
The forecast brightens Thursday night with mostly clear conditions.
Lows both nights will be near 24 degrees.
What you need to maximize viewing of the Geminids meteor shower
No viewing enhancements such as binoculars or telescopes are necessary.
The darker the location, the better the viewing.
Make sure to wear warm clothes, boots and blankets and bring a lawn chair and hot drink.
Geminids will flash anywhere in the sky. The best direction to face is where the sky is darkest at your location. Looking at a 45-degree to 90-degree angle to the sky is best.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: How to watch the Geminids meteor shower in Fort Collins, Colorado
