With the right conditions one can see more than 100 shooting stars from the Geminid meteor shower, which peaks this year on Sunday, December 13 into the morning of Monday, December 14. Every year, as the earth passes through the debris of a celestial object known as 3200 Phaethon (also called a rock comet by astronomers) we get a brilliant show each winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Fun fact: This is one of the very few asteroids that is known to cause a meteor shower. Most meteor showers are the result of the dust tail of a comet.
Unfortunately, the forecast isn’t looking too good with rain expected this weekend into Monday, but if the sky clears up, the below New York State parks are some of the best places to see the show. The best views are where skies are darkest. Usually a stargazing permit is required but to view the Geminids this weekend you will not need one.
Check out the Geminids at:
- Jones Beach State Park – Field 6
- Sunken Meadow State Park - Field 3
- Montauk Point State Park - Upper Parking Lot
- Robert Moses State Park- Field 2
On Sunday, December 13, these parks will open after sunset and will remain open overnight.