The Geminid meteor shower peaks this week, offering sky gazers a chance to see up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. However, clouds and the bright moonlight from a nearly full Cold Moon will make viewing difficult for many in the northern and central US.
The Geminid meteor shower begins in mid-November and runs through Christmas Eve, with peak activity on this Friday night into Saturday morning. The shower is known for its speed and yellow color, making it one of the most reliable annual meteor showers. NASA considers it “one of the best and most reliable” due to its high speed and consistency.
To spot meteors, stargazers need a clear sky without haze, cloud cover, or light pollution. Unfortunately, clouds will make it difficult for many to see the shower. The bright moonlight from the Cold Moon, which appears fullest at 4:02 a.m. ET on Dec. 15, will also wash out shooting stars in the night sky.
The best viewing locations are dark skies away from city lights, with International Dark Sky Sanctuary locations being ideal if available. Stargazers should allow their eyes to adjust to the darkness for up to 40 minutes before looking up.
The Geminid meteor shower is associated with an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon, which scientists believe may be a “dead comet” or a new type of object known as a “rock comet.” The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) plans to launch the DESTINY+ mission in 2028 to investigate this source of dust and solve the mystery of 3200 Phaethon.
Source: https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/geminid-meteor-shower-peaks-week