The annual Geminids meteor shower has arrived in Britain, but sightings will be best between December 11 (Friday), when the moon will not be visible, and December 14 (next Monday), when the shower reaches its peak.
But what are the Geminids?
The Geminids are an annual meteor shower caused by the 3200 Phaethon asteroid. Its orbit brings it very close to the sun, causing its surface material to crumble and break off. The Earth passes through this space debris every December, which burns up as hits our atmosphere. These are the meteors visible in our sky. The Geminids were first observed relatively recently, in 1862, compared with the Perseids (36AD) and the Leonids (902AD).
The meteor shower appears to come from a point in the constellation Gemini, hence its name.
When and where can they be seen?
Sightings are possible around the world, but there's good news for Britons: the shower favours observers in the Northern Hemisphere over those in the Southern.
Clear skies are vital. The Met Office forecasts scattered showers across Britain for this weekend, so you may need a combination of luck and forward planning.
The best time for viewings is around 2am, although the meteors should be visible (weather permitting) from around 10pm.
Get as far away from light pollution as possible (a trip to one of the Dark Sky Reserves listed below would be ideal, but the bottom of your garden might do just as well), give your eyes some time to adapt to the dark, lie down and look up (and send your amazing pictures to mypic@telegraph.co.uk).
Britain has some wonderful stargazing locations, including three "Dark Sky Reserves" (Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons and Exmoor national parks) and Europe's largest "Dark Sky Park" (Northumberland National Park and the adjoining Kielder Water and Forest Park).
This is our cheating sheet for the #Geminids meteor shower. Please, feel free to share :) https://t.co/ghO40cq9qK http://pic.twitter.com/fRNO4pOi3a
— PhotoPills (@photopills) December 1, 2015
Other great spots include Galloway Forest Park (its most popular spot for stargazing is Loch Trool, but the Wigtownshire Astronomical Society also recommends The Machars, the sparsely populated hills and moorland south of the 17th-century market town of Newton Stewart), Powys (with some of the lowest light pollution in Briain), and the North York Moors (The Scarborough and Ryedale Astronomical Society's favourite rendezvous is Dalby Forest).
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Britain has three Dark Sky Reserves Photo: AP/FOTOLIA
Do I need a telescope?
The meteors will be visible to the naked eye - no specialist equipment is required (just warm clothes).
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Where do I need to look?
You can spot the meteors anywhere, but they will appear to come from the Gemini constellation. During December, it begins the evening in the east and moves across the sky to the west during the night. Find Orion's Belt - three bright stars positioned in a row - and then look above it and a little to the left.
The Gemini constellation
What do the meteors look like?
They will appear as streaks of light, and will sometimes arrive in bursts of two or three. They vary in colour, depending on their composition.
How many might I see?
An average of 120 meteors an hour - or two a minute - can be expected, or more during the 2am peak.
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An average of 120 meteors an hour can be expected Photo: AP/FOTOLIA
This article was first published on December 12, 2014, and updated in full on December 7, 2015
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