Geminid meteor shower to peak Thursday: Astronomical museum

Taipei, Dec. 14 (CNA) Stargazers in Taiwan will have an opportunity to view a big display of shooting stars when the annual Geminid meteor shower reaches its peak Thursday, according to the Taipei Astronomical Museum.

The shower will peak Thursday evening into early Friday, with the Geminids producing around 150 meteors per hour, the museum said.

As the moon is now waning to a crescent, there will be no bright moonlight to dim out the shooting stars, which means it will be the best viewing conditions for the Geminid meteor shower in Taiwan in years, the museum said.

There is also a chance that stargazers will get a glimpse of the Sigma Hydrid meteor shower, which is currently active, the museum said.

The long-period comet Nishimura, which was discovered in August this year, is believed to be the parent body of the annual Sigma Hydrids, according to the museum.

For outdoor stargazers in Taiwan who wish to see the two showers, the ideal time will be late Thursday night, while for those who prefer to stay indoors, the museum will livestream the Geminid meteor shower from 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, it said.