Illinois

Admission Is Free To Geminid Meteor Shower This Weekend

WCBU | By Olivia Streeter

Published December 11, 2020 at 11:10 AM CST

A meteor streaks across the sky during the annual Geminids meteor shower over an Orthodox church on the local cemetery near the village of Zagorie, some 110 km ( 69 miles) west of capital Minsk, Belarus, late Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017.

The peak of the Geminid meteor shower is fast approaching.

It's an event that happens every year when the earth passes through the dust trail left behind by a comet.

"All meteor showers are fun events to observe because it's just really exciting to see that beautiful streak of light go through the sky," said Peoria Riverfront Museum Planetarium Director Renae Kerrigan. "And this year, in particular, there's no bright moon blocking out the light of the meteors, so it's an extra good year for observing.

She said the Geminid Metoer Shower is best viewed Sunday night into early Monday morning. Up to 150 meteors an hour may be seen.

Kerrigan said for the best Geminid experience, go to the darkest spot you can find, away from the city lights.

Kerrigan encourages everyone, regardless of their astronomical experience (or inexperience), to take a moment to pause and look up at the sky this weekend.

"Astronomy is a hobby that everybody can enjoy," she said. "It costs no money to be able to go outside and look up. It's good for all of us to go outside, and looking at the sky can be a really enjoyable pasttime."

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