Head for dark, clear skies tonight — overnight Dec. 13-14 — to see the shooting stars of the Geminid meteor shower overhead. 
 
 The shower is likely to be the best meteor shower of 2018, and it will be visible in both hemispheres — though the Northern Hemisphere will have an advantage. While the August Perseid meteor shower is more famous, experts are saying to get outside for this one as well. 
 
 "Maybe [it's less well known] because it's cold for so many during this shower's peak," Diana Hannikainen, Sky & Telescope's observing editor, said in a statement. "But the Geminids are often the best display of 'shooting stars' all year." [Geminid Meteor Shower 2018: When, Where & How to See It] 
 
 Geminid meteors appear to diverge from a single spot in the sky, called the radiant, located in the constellation Gemini. But you'll see as many as possible if you lean back and take in the whole sky — they can appear anywhere across the sky, traveling away from that point. Credit: Sky & Telescope/Gregg Dinderman 
 
 According to Sky & Telescope, the Geminids are set to peak at 7:30 a.m. EST (1130 GMT) on Dec. 14, when Earth plunges through the thickest part of the trail of dust and debris left behind by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon as it orbits the sun. That means that the best times to watch are when it's dark in your local time zone surrounding that peak, such as just before dawn on Dec. 14. 
 
 But if you won't be up in those early hours, you can also start watching a couple hours after sunset; the moon will set at about 10:30 p.m. local time on Dec. 13, and about 11 p.m. local time on Dec. 14, so just look after that on either of those nights. 
 
 "If you've got a clear, dark sky with no light pollution, you might see a meteor streak across the sky every minute or two from 10 p.m. until dawn on the night of the peak," Hannikainen said. 
 
 The darker the skies, the more meteors you are likely to see, but some are bright enough to see in even less-than-favorable conditions. The meteors can appear all across the sky, but they'll appear to be flying away from the area of the bright star Castor in the Gemini constellation. 
 
 Leading up to the peak, fainter meteors are more common, and at the peak the brighter ones are, according to Sky & Telescope. Though they'll appear in fewer numbers, the week surrounding the Geminids' peak may still provide a good show. 
 
 The orbit of the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which passes around the sun once every 1.4 years. Though it is an asteroid, its elongated path is reminiscent of comets. The Geminid meteor shower comes every year when Earth passes through the debris left along the asteroid's path. Credit: Sky & Telescope diagram 
 
 The meteors are bits of material left behind by 3200 Phaethon — they burn up in Earth's atmosphere, creating streaks and fireballs in the night sky. 3200 Phaethon, a 3-mile-across (4.8 kilometers) object, orbits the sun every 1.4 years, ejecting rocky dust along its path. The asteroid passes closer to the sun than any other known asteroid, according to Sky & Telescope. 
 
 As Earth barrels through that dust and debris, its particles hit the atmosphere at 22 miles per second (35 km/s) and are vaporized in a fiery glow. Particles that hit straight-on, near the radiant, will have shorter streaks, whereas those grazing the atmosphere farther away from the radiant will leave longer streaks. (There may be more of those in the early evening, when the radiant is lower in the sky.) 
 
 A fireball streaks across the sky in this photo by Alan Dyer of the 2004 Geminid meteor shower. Credit: Sky & Telescope/Alan Dyer 
 
 To best take in the Geminids, dress warmly and prepared to be outside for a long time — it takes at least 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark. You'll see the most meteors if you lean back and look at as much of the sky as possible; don't be tempted to use a telescope or binoculars, because they'll restrict your field of view. 
 
 "Go out in the evening, lie back in a reclining lawn chair, and gaze up into the stars," Hannikainen said. "With the radiant rising in the evening, this is a good shower for younger observers who may have earlier bedtimes. But as always, it's good to remember to be patient." 
 
 Editor's note: If you snap an amazing photo of the 2018 Geminid meteor shower that you'd like to share with Space.com and our news partners for a possible story or image gallery, send comments and images in to: spacephotos@space.com. 
 
 Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com. ||||| (CNN) The Geminid meteor shower peaks this week, so hope for clear skies that will let you see a beautiful show of green fireballs on Thursday and Friday. This will be the last -- and strongest -- meteor shower of the year, according to NASA. 
 
 This phenomenon was first recorded in 1862 and causes a show each December 
 
 In the hours before sunrise Friday, the most meteors will be visible in the North American sky, peaking about 7:30 a.m. ET, predicts Sky & Telescope . To see when they will peak in your part of the world, check here 
 
 But the morning isn't your only chance. On Thursday and Friday, keep an eye on the sky a few hours after sunset -- just keep the moon at your back. 
 
 Although the Geminid shower is known for its "shooting stars," the number of meteors visible depends on the time and how dark it is . There will be fewer of them earlier in the evening, but the shower should hit a maximum of about 100 per hour around 2 a.m., NASA said. For those in the suburbs, expect about 30 to 40 per hour. And if you're in a city like New York, San Francisco or Atlanta, you probably won't see anything. 
 
 Early evening meteors may be longer, with dramatic streaks that last several seconds. Later on, the meteors will present quicker streaks or leave trails of smoke that appear to glow. 
 
 The asteroid 3200 Phaethon is responsible for this meteor shower, which is unusual because comets usually create meteor showers with icy debris. Scientists have debated the very nature of what Phaethon is. The closely tracked near-Earth asteroid has been likened to comets, so it's been called a "rock comet." 
 
 Phaethon was discovered in October 1983 and named after the Greek myth about the son of Helios, the sun god, because it closely approaches our sun. 
 
 Phaethon orbits the sun closer than any other asteroid and takes 1.4 years to orbit it. The asteroid heats to about 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit on closest approach to the sun, which causes it to shed dusty debris. 
 
 These particles cause the meteor shower when they plunge into Earth's atmosphere at 22 miles per second, vaporizing in the streaks we call "shooting stars." 
 
 If you live in an urban area, you may want to drive to a place that isn't littered with city lights that will obstruct your view. If you're able to find an area unaffected by light pollution, meteors could be visible every couple of minutes from 10 p.m. until dawn. 
 
 Find an open area with a wide view of the sky, and don't forget to bundle up. Make sure you have a chair or blanket so you can look straight up. And give your eyes about 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness -- without looking at your phone -- so meteors are easier to spot. 
 
 While you're keeping an eye out for the meteor shower, you might see a small, foggy green patch in the sky, NASA said. That will be Comet 46P/Wirtanen, which is making its closest approach to Earth -- within 7 million miles -- for the next 20 years. And it will be visible to the naked eye. The comet is expected to come closest to Earth and peak Sunday. ||||| Please use another device/browser or check out the desktop version of the Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map. 
 
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 Beta The Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map shows the position of the radiant (the circle) in the night sky above San Francisco (Change location) . Select dates above the sky map. Need some help? 
 
 The Geminids cannot be seen from San Francisco due to polar day/midnight Sun . 
 
 The radiant is below the horizon on the night of . Please try another date. 
 
 The Geminids cannot be seen from San Francisco 
 
 In 2019, the Geminids will peak on the night between Dec 13–14 
 
 December Meteor Shower 
 
 The Geminids are considered to be one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, with the possibility of sighting around 120 meteors per hour at its peak, which is on December 13 or 14, depending on your time zone. 
 
 The shower owes its name to the constellation Gemini because the meteors seem to emerge from this constellation in the sky. 
 
 An Asteroid Meteor Shower 
 
 Unlike most other meteor showers, the Geminids are not associated with a comet but with an asteroid: the 3200 Phaethon. The asteroid takes about 1.4 years to orbit the Sun. 
 
 Astronomical terms and definitions 
 
 What Time Does the Meteor Shower Peak? 
 
 The table is updated daily and shows the position of the Geminids radiant in the sky for the upcoming night. Use the date drop down above the Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map to change dates. 
 
 Geminids meteor shower for San Francisco (Night between December 13 and December 14) Time Azimuth/Direction Altitude Fri 7:00 pm 54° 8.3° Fri 8:00 pm 62° 18.3° Fri 9:00 pm 69° 29.0° Fri 10:00 pm 76° 40.3° Fri 11:00 pm 83° 51.9° Sat 12:00 midnight 91° 63.7° Sat 1:00 am 104° 75.5° Sat 2:00 am 162° 85.0° Sat 3:00 am 250° 78.3° Sat 4:00 am 267° 66.7° Sat 5:00 am 276° 54.8° Sat 6:00 am 283° 43.1° Sat 7:00 am 289° 31.8° Direction to see the Geminids in the sky: Azimuth is the direction, based on true north; a compass might show a slightly different value. 
 
 Altitude is height in degrees over horizon. 
 
 How to See the Geminids 
 
 You don't need any special equipment or a lot of skills to view a meteor shower. Even though all you really need is a clear sky, lots of patience, and our handy Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map with a visibility conditions meter to see a meteor shower, the following tips can help maximize your shooting star viewing experience. 
 
 Find a secluded viewing spot, away from the city lights. Once at the venue, your eyes may take 15 to 20 minutes to get used to the dark. 
 
 Dress for the weather, and make sure you are comfortable, especially if you plan to stay out long. Bring a blanket or a comfortable chair with you—meteor watching can be a waiting game. 
 
 Once you have found your viewing spot, lie down on the ground and look up in the direction of the radiant. Use our Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map or the table above to find the current direction of the radiant in the sky. 
 
 Need some help?
– The “best meteor shower of 2018” will be on display overnight, Space.com reports. The Geminid meteor shower will be visible above North America before sunrise Friday, CNN reports, and it will peak at 7:30am EST (find the best viewing time for your location here). Checking out the shower is easy—no special equipment required, Sky & Telescope’s Diana Hannikainen says in a statement. “Go out in the evening, lie back in a reclining lawn chair, and gaze up into the stars,” she says. “This is a good shower for younger observers who may have earlier bedtimes.” Clear, dark skies are the best for viewing, of course. Hannikainen says that under good conditions, you may see the light of a meteor streaking across the sky every minute or two.