The Geminids meteor shower will reach its peak activity on Saturday night as it makes its annual journey past Earth. Photo by Tatyana Zenkovich/EPA
Dec. 13 (UPI) — Skywatchers and astronomers alike can view the annual Geminids meteor shower’s peak activity wherever the skies are clear on Saturday night and into early Sunday morning.
Between up to 120 meteors per hour will be visible as they travel at about 21 miles per second during peak activity, according to NASA.
The Geminids meteors come from the 3200 Phaethon celestial body, which scientists say is either an asteroid or a rock comet and originates from the constellation Gemini.
Asteroids are made from metallic rocks, while comets typically are giant balls of ice, but a rock comet produces meteors because of its rocky content.
The 3200 Phaethon is relatively small, with a diameter that spans 3.17 miles, NPR reported.
The meteor shower typically is visible from about 9 p.m. local time until shortly before dawn, and those in the Northern Hemisphere have the best view of the Geminids, which arrive every December.
It also is visible from the Southern Hemisphere.
Those who don’t want to brave a cold December night or have cloud cover blocking their view can watch the meteor shower by streaming it online.
The Virtual Telescope Project is hosting a free livestream that started at 4 p.m. EST, as weather permits.