Geminids meteor shower peaks Tuesday amid full moon

A meteor from the Geminids meteor shower
A meteor from the Geminids meteor shower (streak at top) enters the Earth's atmosphere on Dec. 12, 2009, above Southold, N.Y.
Stan Honda | AFP | Getty Images 2009

The Geminids meteor shower hits its peak on Tuesday, but a full moon will outshine the celestial show this year.

NASA says the Geminids are one of the best and most reliable meteor showers. At its peak, 120 meteors can be seen per hour under perfect conditions.

This year, the peak coincides with a full moon and that could make all but the brightest meteors invisible to the naked eye.

NASA says sky watchers looking to see the shower should head somewhere away from city lights to a spot with a wide open view of the sky. This map can help you find a nice, dark viewing spot.

Meteors can be seen starting around 9 or 10 p.m. local time and are viewable until the early morning hours.

Getting photos of the sky at night can be challenging, so if you want to get good images, check out these tips on taking photos of the Northern Lights, since the same principles apply.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.