Last big meteor shower of the year will light up Ontario skies this month

Stargazers and budding astronomers can catch the last big meteor shower to hit Ontario skies this year with over 120 shooting stars every hour expected during its peak.

The Geminid Meteor Shower started late last month and lasts until Christmas Eve, bringing bright yellow and white shooting stars to the skies over southern Ontario, Mississauga, Brampton, and other parts of North America.

It’s the last big meteor shower on the calendar this year and is expected to peak next week with a chance to catch some 120 Geminid meteors every hour, according to meteor watchers EarthSky.

The Geminids are bright, fast meteors that often appear yellow in colour, making them relatively easy to spot even in less-than-ideal conditions.

Meteor showers are usually most visible between midnight and predawn hours, but a nearly full moon next week could compete with the meteor shower making them slightly more difficult to see.

The Geminids are expected to hit their most dazzling on Dec. 13.

Experts are recommending a trip away from city lights under dark skies to best see the stellar display.

NASA recommends giving your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness and being patient as the shower lasts all night, offering plenty of chances to catch a shooting star.

Staying off your mobile devices can also help as your eyes will be better adapted to seeing meteors if you aren’t checking your phone.

The meteors can be seen starting around 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., with the most spectacular displays occurring around 2 a.m. when the radiant is highest in the sky.

The Geminid shower follows the Southern Taurid Meteor Shower which hit its peak on the nights of Nov. 5 to 6.

– With files from Suzanna Dutt