Geminid meteor shower lights up Alabama skies

The Geminid Metor shower peaked between 9 p.m. Friday and the break of dawn on Saturday. Arizona got a preview on Tuesday. A loud one as a meteor exploded over the state. The meteor that shook windows was not part of the Geminids.

Sky & Telescope says the Geminid meteor shower is the "richest reliable shower of the year." Skywatchers should bundle up and bring a flask for the annual Geminid meteor shower. You will be rewarded with meteors appearing at a rate of about 100 to 120 an hour. Space experts say the peak will be right after the moon sets and just before dawn.

The Geminid meteor shower was named for the stellar constellation Gemini. The Geminid meteors arrive in mid-December when the Earth passes through debris from a small asteroid called 3200 Phaethon.

Bill Cooke, head of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office, said "This year, there will be a magic hour starting at about 4 a.m. up until dawn that there will be no moon and you'll be able to see the Geminids in their full glory,"

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