NASA has identified an upcoming meteor shower as the “best and most reliable” annual event, set to peak later this week. This event, one of the final meteor showers of the year, will display yellow and green hues in the night sky.
The Geminids, active since December 2, will continue until December 21, with peak activity expected between December 12 and 13. During this peak, up to 120 meteors per hour may be visible, according to the American Meteor Shower.
This meteor shower is the result of debris from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. Each December, the Geminids showcase “bright and fast” meteors, often appearing yellow or green due to the chemical composition of the debris—elements like oxygen, magnesium, and nickel contribute to the greenish tones, as noted by NASA.
The nature of Phaethon, discovered in October 1983, remains uncertain. NASA has not yet determined whether it is an asteroid, a “dead comet,” or a “rock comet,” as it does not develop a tail when near the sun and produces debris that is significantly denser than average.
The Geminids were first observed in the mid-1800s but have only become more active in recent decades. This increase in activity is attributed to Phaethon’s orbit bringing it closer to Earth’s atmosphere.