Geminid Meteor Shower: When to Watch in Tampa Bay

Sky watchers are in for a treat Saturday night when the Geminid meteor shower hits its peak time for viewing.

The experts at NASA say that while the shower has been going on throughout the week its peak is expected to come overnight Saturday and into the pre-dawn hours of Sunday.

They’re so excited about the promise of a spectacular show, a team of astronomers from the Marshall Space Flight Center plans to host an overnight web chat show from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. EST, the NASA website says.

Geminids are pieces of space debris from an object that’s called 3200 Phaethon. Once thought to be an asteroid, it’s since been classified as an extinct comet, NASA reports.

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“Earth runs into a stream of debris from 3200 Phaethon every year in mid-December, causing meteors to fly from the constellation Gemini,” the website says.

To join the live web chat Saturday night, just log onto the NASA site.

For the best viewing in the Tampa Bay area, try to get away from city lights and simply look to the night sky late Saturday and early Sunday. The National Weather Service is calling for a clear night on Saturday in Tampa, but it’s expected to be chilly out there, so grab a jacket.

For more information about the geminids, visit NASA online.

Photo via EarthSky.org