Saturday night offers a chance for a double helping of skywatching fun across Michigan.
Both the peak of the Geminid meteor and the final full moon of the year, the Cold Moon, coincide in the night skies.
Take a look up at the night sky Saturday night for a chance to catch the meteor shower and the full moon at their peaks, weather conditions permitting.
Here's what to know about when and how to view the Geminids and the full moon.
When can you see the Geminid meteor shower?
While the Geminids are active from Nov. 19 to Dec. 24, the meteor shower will reach peak activity this weekend, according to Space.com.
How can you watch the Geminids in Michigan?
While the moon and meteors will compete for viewing chances Saturday, weather conditions will also play a role.
When is the full moon in December 2024?
The Cold Moon, December's full moon, will reach peak illumination on Sunday, Dec. 15. This follows November's full moon, the Beaver Moon. December's full moon marks the final full moon of 2024.
When is peak viewing time for the December 2024 full moon?
Consider staying up late or getting an early rise to catch a glimpse of the Cold Moon. Clear skies will ensure optimal viewing, so keep an eye on the weather forecast. The full moon will peak in the early morning at 4:02 a.m.
How did the Cold Moon get its name?
The name Cold Moon, of Mohawk origin, comes from the cold weather at this time of year, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
The best places to watch are dark sky parks
Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary.
Visit Lake Hudson Recreation Area in Lenawee County, Negwegon State Park in Alcona County, Port Crescent State Park in Huron County, Rockport Recreation Area and Thompson's Harbor State Park in Presque Isle County, and Wilderness State Park in Emmet County.
Headlands Dark Sky Park in Emmet County, Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Keweenaw County and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County are international spots. And, finally, the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area is an international sanctuary.
The Geminids are best viewed starting at about 9 or 10 p.m. local time, according to NASA.
This year spectators will have to contend with a nearly full, bright waxing gibbous moon, which may spoil the best views of the meteors by outshining them, per experts.
Named after Gemini because the meteors seem to emerge -- or radiate from -- the same area in the sky as the constellation, NASA advises stargazers to look to Gemini and elsewhere to get the best views. The Geminids should be visible across the night sky.
Here are some general viewing tips from the space agency:
It should take less than 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt so that you can see streaking meteors. But be patient, NASA warns: the show will last until dawn.
What causes the Geminid meteor shower?
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through dusty debris trails left by space objects as they orbit the sun. While most meteor showers originate with comets, the Geminids comes from an asteroid. The debris -- space rocks known as meteoroids -- collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
Those resulting fireballs, better known as "shooting stars," are meteors. If meteoroids survive their trip to Earth without burning up in the atmosphere, they are called meteorites, per NASA.