Posted in Northern California Events, Winter December 09, 2022 by

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

If you sit outside long enough this month and gaze at the night sky, there’s a good chance you’ll see a shooting star. The Geminids meteor shower takes place on Dec. 14th, but you’ll be able to see shooting stars through Dec. 24th. In fact, the few days before and after any meteor shower are good times to watch for shooting stars.

There are many great places to stargaze in Northern California.
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For the best night sky viewing, you’ll want to choose a dark place with little light pollution. The best time to view the meteor shower will be at 2 a.m.
If you’re serious about getting the best possible view, go online and search for local astronomy clubs in your area. Sometimes these clubs host “star parties” where people get together with their telescopes and observe the sky or listen to a guest lecturer.
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These parties are often held in dark locations for the best sky viewing possible. Luckily, you don’t need a telescope to view the Geminids.
Due to light interference from the moon, it’s best when meteor showers occur during a new moon when the sky is black. The Geminids meteor shower will take place when the moon is in a Gibbous Waning phase, meaning it’ll be quite bright.
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To lessen the light interference from the moon, find a place to sit where a house or trees shield the moon a bit so you can get a better view of the sky.
Typically, at the height of the Geminids meteor shower you can see 100 to 150 meteors per hour– which is a lot!
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But since the moon will be bright, you can expect to see fewer. But it should still be a good show!
The meteors appear to come from the Gemini constellation, hence the name of the shower. The shower will be more noticeable in the Northern Hemisphere.
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There are many meteor showers throughout the year: Perseid Meteor Shower, Orionids, and many, many others.
While watching the meteor shower, give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. Many people who watch annual meteor showers enjoy waking up in the middle of the night and going outside to sit under the stars.
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Make it easier on yourself by setting up some pads and sleeping bags on the ground before going to sleep. Set your alarm for 1:30 a.m. so you can enjoy the Geminids at the height of the show.

Will you watch the Geminids meteor shower? Do you watch any meteor showers throughout the year? Tell us in the comments.

Address: Northern California, CA, USA

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