The Geminids are one of the most active meteor showers and take place each December with observers being able to witness up to 80 falling stars over the course of an hour. Most visible after 11:00 in the evening and peaking sometime around 2:00 in the morning, tonight is the big show, though some meteors will continue to sparkle and fizz until around the 18th. Called the Geminids because of their proximity to the constellation Gemini, many of the shooting stars can be seen in the northeastern sky, though on our adventure tonight, Jack and I spotted a number of others in a lot of different locations.
We actually drove up a couple of miles way from the house but found it impossible to quickly find a location that was away from security lights. A side road lined with a long row of large hay bales beside it to block some light presented itself and provided a nice vantage point for our stargazing. In the thirty or so minutes we stood out there, we probably saw between thirty and forty meteors, and they were spectacular.
We both finally got cold enough to retreat back to the car and head home, but both of us are glad we went to the effort. If you get a chance to throw on a coat and a nice warm hat, head outside tomorrow night after 11:00, find a comfy dark spot, huddle down and enjoy the show. You won't be sorry.
Here's a link to more information, if you're so inclined --
