Missed the Total Eclipse? This Is the Next Space Event You Can’t Miss

While last month's total solar eclipse may have been paired with the best puns of our lifetime, we're sad to say that many of us were unable to watch day turn to night in the middle of the afternoon.

As the sun rose over Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, thousands of people and their vehicles were jockeying for prime eclipse viewing positions. Hours later they were rewarded with a total eclipse of the sun. This image is an illustration, a composite of two frames, the morning sunrise of the Tetons and a timed multiple exposure of today's eclipse. Follow @kengeiger for more eclipse images. #eclipse #eclipse2017

A post shared by National Geographic (@natgeo) on Aug 21, 2017 at 6:50pm PDT

If you weren't able to catch a glimpse of this outer space event, then you need to keep your eyes peeled for this next one.

The Geminid meteor shower is an annual shooting star event which always promises a good view. Scroll below for all the shower details:

Mark Your Calendars

The Geminid meteor shower will peak on the night of Dec. 13 and continue into the early morning hours of the 14th, according to NatGeo.

The night sky lights up as the Geminid meteor showered passed over the Titov Main Space Test Center in far east Russia. In some areas of the world the shower was difficult to view due to the glow of another #supermoon. | ????:Yuri Smityuk | December 14, 2016 | #GettyImagesNews

A post shared by Getty Images (@gettyimages) on Dec 19, 2016 at 1:05pm PST

Since the best view of these shooting stars will be in the wee hours of the morning, we suggest a backyard campout complete with blankets, pillows and snacks. Yes, we know that the meteor shower is coming to us on the worst of week days, Wednesday night, but if you start greasing the wheels with your parents now they may just let you pull an all-nighter for the greatest meteor shower of the year.

#geminidmeteorshower #stargazingnight #campingunderthestars #eastside #cameraon

A post shared by Alvin Christian Monterola (@acmcamerawork) on Dec 25, 2016 at 6:26am PST

 

What It's All About

While shooting stars can be viewed throughout the year, this annual shower is the most coveted because the Geminid meteors are super bright, making them easily visible. They also streak across the sky at a high frequency, ensuring optimal viewing pleasure. At any given hour during the shower, you can see between 60 and 120 shooting stars light up the sky which is like, a lot of wishes.

It was amazing to look up at the sky last week during the #GeminidMeteorShower and see the falling lights, but to have actually captured one in a photograph…that's even more amazing!

A post shared by Brandi (@pbjphoto) on Dec 21, 2016 at 10:04am PST

If you live in an area with high pollution (like us over here in Los Angeles) you may want to begin making plans now as to where you can get a crystal clear view of the night sky.

Last year's shower was overshadowed—quite literally—by the Supermoon, so we can't wait to gaze at the Geminids this December. The waning crescent moon we can expect this year will provide A+ viewing conditions.

 

What Exactly Are the Geminids?

The shower gets its name because the meteors seem to be produced from the Gemini constellation. All our Geminis out there now have an extra dose of star dust when it comes to their zodiac.

A post shared by Adamus W. Adelus (@sternenhimmel.fotografieren) on Dec 13, 2016 at 8:42pm PST

In actuality, this annual shower is produced by an asteroid named 3200 Phaethon which, to me, sounds like something straight out of Star Wars.

Astronomers don't know exactly when or how the Geminids came into being, but one thing is for certain, they make the night sky light up like fireworks.

 

There's no doubt that gazing into the gorgeous night sky can be therapeutic. If you've been feeling down lately, click HERE to find out how Notes From the Universe can lift your spirits.