Spot over 100 meteors per hour this December!

Good preparation is key, so follow this guide to get the best out of the event...

Good preparation can make all the difference to having an enjoyable experience. Meteor showers, like everything else in nature, can spring surprises, both good and not as good. On a poor night observing the Geminids, you may see only a handful of shooting stars in an hour, but sometimes they can put on a real show – you won't know unless you get out there and look.

Keep an eye on the weather

Check the weather, as it is always an issue for any kind of observing, but don't be put off. Even if it's a little cloudy there will still be areas of the sky you can watch at times.

Wear warm clothes

Dress warmly. Several layers are good, and thick socks and gloves can make all the difference. Maybe even a blanket and a hot water bottle just to make sure you're toasty!

Observe for as long as you can

Stay out as long as you can. It can take 20 minutes to adapt to the dark, so be prepared to stay out at least this length of time. The longer you watch, the more meteors you are likely to see.

Use a compass to ensure you're looking in the right direction

Familiarise yourself with the compass points at your observing location. This will help when making notes.

Work out meteor brightness

If you see a Geminid, try to estimate how luminous it was. To help you, you should use bright stars for comparison – a star chart will assist with naming them.

Record the Geminids you see

Note down the time, direction of travel and brightness in your notebook. Be sure to use a red torch to preserve your night vision, or you might miss some fainter meteors.