The Geminids' meteor shower is heading for Earth tonight, ready to light up the sky – and meteor-watchers in Israel just might be able to see them, too.
The meteor shower, which is an annual event, is one of the most well-known among the annual meteor showers due to its bright lights.
This year, they will peak overnight from Monday, December 13 to Tuesday, December 14, with the peak viewing point being at around 2 a.m. However, the meteor shower itself will last until December 17.
Previous years have seen as many as 50 meteors an hour spotted in the night sky – and sometimes, lucky viewers can even see 150 per hour.
The meteors get their name because they appear at first glance to come from the constellation Gemini. However, they actually originate from 3200 Phaethon, a massive five-kilometer-wide asteroid with an orbit very close to the Sun. It is this close orbit that is thought to cause it to shed rubble, which then crashes into the Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of 130,000 kilometers per hour.
There is no danger to our planet, as the meteors vaporize in the atmosphere, but it is the reason for the colorful meteor shower seen in the sky.
They can be seen all over the world, but are most visible in the Northern Hemisphere.
However, this year may be more difficult than others to see this gorgeous meteor shower, including in Israel.
According to Dr. David Polishook of Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science, this is because of the Moon's especially high level of brightness. At around 75% of a full moon, its level of brightness may make it difficult to spot anything but the brightest of the meteors.
But those who are determined to see them still have a chance.
"The brave of heart can go on December 13 to the desert, where the light pollution is minimal, and wait for around 2:00 a.m. when the Moon will set below the horizon," Polishook explained. "If the weather cooperates, they could see some nice meteors; a rate of around 2-3 meteors per minute."
Polishook recommended going to an isolated place, away from towns heavy with light pollution. But those who drive there should take caution, as those who will keep their car's lights up will ruin their own night vision and will blind themselves from seeing the faint meteors.