MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If you look up at the night sky on Wednesday night, it is very likely that you could spot a bright streak moving across our night sky. This would likely be a meteor from the Geminid Meteor Shower. Depending on conditions, this can be the best meteor shower we see each year, so let’s break down what we can expect this year.
The Geminids are leftover debris from an old asteroid that Earth passes through each December. The shower is often the best meteor shower of the year and can reach peaks of over 120 meteors an hour in the darkest places on our planet.
What you will see will be different depending on where you are. Light pollution can get rid of the majority of these meteors, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see anything. In our brightest locations, it is still likely that you can see dozens of meteors an hour.
Where's the best place to go to see the meteor shower?
People living in East Arkansas have the best chance of seeing the most meteors, since it's the least populated area of our region and will have the darkest skies, especially west of Wynne, Arkansas, along Hwy. 64. Folks living in Marianna, Arkansas, also have a great chance of seeing a show just outside of the town's center.
In Memphis, the closest spot to head to in order to avoid a washed-out night sky from city lights will be Shelby Forest State Park, just north of the metro area along Hwy. 51.
Farther north along Hwy. 51, those in Dyersburg can travel west along I-155 towards Caruthersville, Missouri, where the sky gets most dark just before the Mississippi River crossing.
Stanton, Tennessee, the future site of Ford's Blue Oval City mega plant, will also have a prime dark sky in its surrounding area.
In North Mississippi, the best place to view the shower will be along the Delta, between Clarksdale and Tunica. Namely, folks in Marks, Mississippi, will be able to see the most meteors. If you're in Oxford, travel south towards Paris, Mississippi, to see the best night sky.
If you're willing to take a little road trip, one of the best night sky viewing areas in the country is just a few hours away on the southern end of the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, between Winona and Alton, Missouri.
The best part about meteor showers is that you don’t need any equipment to view them. All you need to do is look up at the night sky between 10 PM Wednesday and 2 AM Thursday to have the best shot of seeing a shooting star. You should plan to stay out for at least an hour to allow your eyes to adjust and see a meteor in our sky. Meteors in this shower are often greenish in color and move quickly through the sky.
In the Mid-South we have two things going in our favor. The Moon is almost in the New Moon phase which means it won't wash out our sky. As for our weather, clouds will likely stay out of the way. Mostly clear skies will make for good viewing conditions and cooler weather in the 40s.
If you miss Wednesday night's main event, there is a small chance you can see meteors in the following days. The Perseids will be the next best meteor shower in the region coming next August.
When looking at upcoming meteor showers this will likely be the best one until 2025 so if you miss out on Wednesday night you will have to wait a few years.