The Boldest And Biggest Meteor Shower Of The Year Will Be On Display Above Virginia In December

Here in Virginia, we're big night sky enthusiasts. For proof of this, look no further than our collection of Dark Sky Parks, or the fact that there's a state-of-the-art telescope near one of our top resorts. That's why we're quite excited about an upcoming event: the Geminid meteor shower 2023. Here's everything you need to know about experiencing the boldest and biggest meteor shower of the year, visible in December! Let's learn about this meteor shower over Virginia.

First things first: when is the Geminid meteor shower? The meteor shower is expected to peak on December 14 and 15, 2023.

Of course, you may also be wondering "What is the Geminid meteor shower?"

Most meteor showers are caused by comets; however, the Geminid meteor shower is unique in that it's caused by an asteroid. The asteroid that will cause the Geminid meteor shower is known as 3200 Phaethon.

Particles from this particular asteroid are expected to hit our atmosphere in December, and you'll be able to see them in the night sky.

Your best odds of seeing the show is to watch the night sky at 2:00 a.m., preferably at a designated dark sky area. An area with little light pollution should also do the trick.

What's even more spectacular is that Geminid meteors are bolder than other meteors, and they're fast and bright too. In fact, they'll be brighter than moonlight!

Another unusual thing to note is that meteors from asteroids typically don't leave tails. During peak hours, you could spot at least 50 of these per hour!

Take a look at last year’s meteor shower:

Are you someone who enjoys meteor showers? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with us about the Geminid meteor shower over Virginia in the comments -- we would love to hear from you! Next time you visit our state, check out this resort in Virginia that offers incredible opportunities for stargazing. It's totally bucket-list-worthy.