The best meteor shower of the year is peaking. Here’s how to watch it in NC.

The Geminids shower, which has a distinctively green hue, peaks Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Here’s how to see it in NC.

Whether you’re a regular stargazer or a night-sky fanatic, get ready for some super cool stargazing this week night starting at around 10 p.m. Wednesday. 

The Geminids, a meteor shower visible around the globe, could be the best shower of the year, with the green-hued meteors visible at about one per minute, according to NASA. 

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This Wednesday is the peak of the shower, and dark skies should grant a few chances to catch and wish on a shooting star. 

The best times to see the shower, according to Space.com, are after 10 p.m. on Wednesday, leading into 2 a.m. on Thursday when the meteor shower peaks. However, the astronomical event lasts until Dec. 24, and if late bedtimes aren’t your cup of tea, you may also be able to see the shower in the earlier hours of the night. 

How to see the Geminids

New Scientist recommends finding somewhere with minimal light pollution to have the clearest view, but because of the dark conditions this year, hopeful stargazers have a good chance of seeing the meteors from their yard or patio. 

If you’d like an organized Geminids viewing experience, three of North Carolina’s state parks are hosting free events.

Eno River State Park 

📍Durham 

Thursday, Dec. 14 

 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Little River Regional Park 

📍Rougemont

Wednesday, Dec. 13

8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Hammocks Beach State Park
📍Swansboro

Wednesday, Dec. 13
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

The nights are cold this time of year and stargazing can be a long experience, so however you’re viewing the stars this week, bundle up! In fact, temperatures will be dropping into the low 30s this evening across NC, although most folks can expect clear skies.