Geminid Meteor Shower Visible Dec. 13-15

As you hang holiday lights and light the candles, cast your gaze upon the universe's natural fireworks, as well. 

On Dec. 13 the Geminid Meteor Shower for 2012 is expected to begin.

• The last shooting star cluster before New Year's is the Geminid Meteor Shower, expected to peak in the pre-dawn hours after midnight between Dec. 13 and Dec. 15. They will be visible in all parts of the sky and streak through the sky at more than 50 meteors per hour, almost a meteor a minute, according to EarthSky.com. The new moon is expected to fall on Dec. 13, making for optimal dark skies—as long as you avoid city lights and clouds, the website states.  

Be sure to schedule a night this season to bundle up, lay out some blankets and enjoy the light show in the sky. 

Don't have access to a telescope? The Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society (LVAAS) invites you and your family to attend any monthly public star party. Hear a Night Sky Network talk about NASA missions and space science topics. See a planetarium show and look through observatory telescopes at the moon, planets and deep sky objects (weather permitting). All members of the general public are invited to LVAAS Star Party Events!  It's a great way to learn about astronomy."

The next LVAAS party is 7 p.m. on Jan. 19. The program details have not yet been announced but it is prime viewing time for winter celestial bodies, according to the society.

Share your tips for photographing the showers, and tell us your favorite places in the area to sneak off to view the skies in the comments!