How and where to watch the Geminid meteor shower as it peaks this week

The annual Geminid meteor shower is currently active, expected to be most visible this weekend on 14 and 15 December.

The meteors of the Geminid shower are bright, fast, and multi-coloured, mainly white, some yellow and a few green, red and blue. These colours are partly caused by the presence of traces of metals like sodium and calcium, the same effect that is used to make fireworks colourful.

The shower has been known to produce over 150 meteors per hour at its peak, although light pollution and other factors mean that in reality the visible number is far lower.

READ MORE: Greater Manchester borough named one of England's best stargazing spots ahead of Geminid meteor shower

The Geminid meteor shower got its name because the meteors appear to radiate from near the bright star Castor in the constellation of Gemini.

Meteors are pieces of debris which enter our planet’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per second, vaporising and causing the streaks of light we call meteors. The beautiful streaks we see in the night sky can actually be caused by particles as small as a grain of sand.

How to watch the Geminid meteor shower

The Geminid meteor shower is one of the most active showers of the year and in some years it is the strongest. It is the one major shower that shows good activity before midnight, so perfect for those who don't want to stay up all night.

This year, the maximum will occur on 14 December when the moon is full, so viewing conditions won't be favourable.

Hunting for meteors can be a bit of a waiting game, so it's best to bring a comfy chair to sit on and to wrap up warm as you could be outside for a while. They can be seen with the naked eye so there's no need for binoculars or a telescope, though you will need to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark.

It is best not to look directly at one spot as this can limit the number of meteors you see. Try instead to look just to the side in a dark area of sky and you will be more likely to catch sight of some meteors.

Where is best to watch the Geminid meteor shower?

You want to find a safe location away from street lights and other sources of light pollution. The meteors can be seen in all parts of the sky, so it’s ideal to go to a wide open space where you can scan the night sky with your eyes.

Outdoor experts at Millets have analysed factors such as light pollution levels and air quality index scores to reveal the best areas in England to stargaze:

1. Barnsley

2. Northampton

3. York

4. Brighton

5. Bournemouth

6. Rochdale

7. Oxford

8. Swindon

9. Peterborough

10. Havering