How To See Up To 50 Shooting Stars An Hour In Michigan

Michigan's skies are about to put on a really good show for you, and this one is for those who really love looking up at the night sky. The Geminid meteor shower is back, and this year it is expected to throw 40 to 50 shooting stars an hour across our skies when it hits its peak in mid-December.

When To Watch The Geminid Meteor Shower In Michigan

The Geminids are already active and will stick around from about December 4 through December 20, but your best bet to see the good stuff is on the nights of December 14 and 15. After about 10 p.m., look toward the eastern sky. The meteors will look like they are fanning out from the constellation Gemini near the star Castor, and not far from bright but easy-to-spot Jupiter.

Where To Look In The Michigan Night Sky

The moon will be around, however, so there is a bit of a catch. Around the peak, a waning crescent moon rises in the early morning hours, which can wash out some of the faint streaks. That just means the earlier part of the night, before the moon gets high, will be your prime viewing window. Give your eyes 20-30 minutes to adjust, and avoid the phone screen. Also, don't try with a telescope; meteor showers are visible to the naked eye.

Why Winter Nights Are Perfect For Stargazing

It will be cold here in Michigan, but that will actually work in our favor. Winter air is drier and clearer than summer air, so when the clouds behave, you can get crisp dark skies that make every meteor pop a little more.

If you really want to go all-in, Michigan has 10 designated dark sky parks, including Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Southwest Michigan, where the sky is much darker than your average neighborhood. Even then, a darker back road or an open field away from city glow will allow you to see the Geminid show. Just layer up, grab some hot coffee, and look up.