How to Watch the ‘Best of Year’ Meteor Shower from San Diego

One of the most beautiful meteor showers of the year is slated to appear in San Diego’s nightly sky during the weekend.

On Friday and Saturday, stargazers will be able to see the Geminid meteor shower, an annual celestial show that peaks in mid-December, at its highest brightness.

NASA considers the Geminids, named after the constellation from which they appear to originate, to be one of the best showers to observe due to their consistency and activity, beaming color, and quick, shooting star-like movement.

When the conditions are favorable, watchers can see up to 120 meteors per hour during the peak of the Geminids, according to NASA.

For those in San Diego who want to catch a peek of the amazing spectacle, it should be easy to find – if you know when and where to look.

A clear, black sky is all that is required for stargazers to see the Geminids. It is best to stay as far away from any light pollution, such as city lights, as this will likely render fainter meteors almost invisible.

The meteor shower is most likely to be visible in secluded sections of San Diego County’s backcountry or desert. However, if conditions are favorable, some residents of the darker suburbs may be able to see it from the comfort of their own homes.

Once you’ve chosen your viewing location, NASA says all you have to do is lie flat on your back with your feet facing south and look up, soaking in as much of the sky as possible. After roughly a half-hour in the dark, your eyes will adjust and pick up on the meteor trails.

Timing should also be considered, but unlike other shows, this one does not require people to stay outside till dawn to see it. According to NASA, the meteor shower is expected to begin about 9 or 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night and last until the early morning.

Stargazers can use TimeAndDate’s interactive map of the shower, which is configurable by locale, to choose the optimum time to watch for the display.

San Diegans who go to observe the Geminids should be prepared to withstand some chilly winter conditions as they wait for them to arrive, so bring blankets, jackets, and other warm clothing.