The biggest meteor shower of the year is peaking soon

In two weeks' time, the biggest meteor shower of 2023 is going to peak. The Geminid meteor shower, which started a little over a week ago will be peaking on December 13-14. The peak means that there may be an average of 75 meteors per hour streaking across the sky.

While the show will begin around 9 p.m., the absolute peak of the shower will occur early December 14 at around 2 a.m. 

So if you haven't already had a gander at the sky for one of the biggest astronomy shows of 2023, you may want to cast your eyes upwards in the coming days and weeks. The Canadian Space Agency has quite a few tips for both seasoned and amateur astronomers. If you're planning on meteor hunting you should:

• Always make sure to check the weather forecast. 
• Head away from city lights, which make it hard to see fainter meteors. To increase your chances of seeing shooting stars, set out in search of dark skies in the countryside.
• If you need to use a flashlight, place a red filter over the bulb (a red balloon will do in a bind). White light is very blinding and may affect your night vision.
• Dress warmly. 
• Sit back and relax on a reclining chair or lie down on a blanket. Not only is it much more comfortable to observe the stars lying down, but you'll also see more that way.
• Pack a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee—it will come in handy if you start to drift off or get a little chilly!
• Be patient. It might take a while before you see your first shooting star. Don't be quick to give up... It's worth the wait!

And one of the best stargazing places is right here in Alberta - if you're willing to go for a bit of a road trip. Jasper National Park ranks second on a list of 13 of the most amazing stargazing spots across Canada.

According to the Planetary Society, the Geminids, 'are caused by debris from an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon. Phaethon's 524-day orbit carries it very close to the Sun, less than half the distance of Mercury's closest approach to the Sun.'

The Gemenids are one of three meteor showers that occur during the year. Other spectacular meteor showers to watch out for throughout the year include:

• the Quadrantids, in early January
• the Perseids, in mid-August

The Gemenids are named after the Gemini constellation (also known as the Twins)

"The constellation for which a meteor shower is named only serves to aid viewers in determining which shower they are viewing on a given night. The constellation is not the source of the meteors. Also, you should not look only to the constellation of Gemini to view the Geminids," The National Aeronautics and Space Administration states on its website.

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