For the past week, if you looked up to the night sky, you might’ve been able to catch a glimpse of the Geminid meteor shower.
The annual meteor shower runs from December 4th to 17th when the Earth moves through debris from the asteroid, 3200 Phaethon.
Tonight's forecast in Dauphin calls for clear skies with a low of minus 22.
Scott Young, planetarium astronomer at the Manitoba Museum, is looking forward to the peak of the meteors on Sunday night.
"The Geminids meteor shower is actually the best meteor shower of the whole year. It just doesn't get a lot of attention because it happens in December, which is often pretty cold for getting out there and looking at the stars. But, it really is the best and most reliable meteor shower."
The forecasted clear skies mixed with the moon nearing the darkest point of its cycle could result in one of the best views in years.
If you look to the east/southeast after 7 p.m. you’ll have the best chance at seeing some shooting stars.
Young has another tip for watching the Geminids.
"To see a meteor, they only last a second, it's like a falling star or shooting star, it's like pew! Don't blink or you'll miss it because it's only there a few seconds. So if you're looking down at your phone or you're looking away from the sky, you're really going to miss some of the activity. So, if you want to see meteors, you have to look at the sky continuously and keep any lights away from your eyes."
Under ideal conditions, up to 150 meteors can be seen an hour, sometimes even producing colourful fireballs.
If you don't want to go outside to watch the meteors, Young says the planetarium will be live streaming the event on the Manitoba Museum's Facebook and YouTube.
