The Geminids are one of the most spectacular meteor showers, peaking in mid-December, with the peak occurring around December 13th-14th, and will produce as many as 120 meteors per hour in perfect conditions. The shower originates from Earth passing through the debris trail of the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, resulting in bright, white, and often yellow meteors. To view the Geminids, find a dark, open sky, allow your eyes to adjust to the dark for about 20 minutes, and look up without special equipment.

On Saturday, December 13th, the moon will set mid-afternoon so we’ll have a moonless night until into the wee hours of Sunday the 14th. Perfect for seeing meteors!

Remember folks, photographing a meteor is like photographing lightning. If you try to capture it after you see it, you’ll never capture it. Photographing for meteors requires planning, specific camera setup, and patience! You need to be set up so your camera can capture the meteors as they happen, not after they happen.

What to bring!

Camera gear: camera, wide angle lens with wide aperture (low numbered F-stop), sturdy tripod, remote shutter release cable (or similar).

Extras: chair to relax in while shooting, water, coffee, snacks, etc.

BUG SPRAY, THERMACELLS, BUG JACKETS, BRING YOUR ENTIRE BUG REPELLENT ARSENAL!

We’ll meet up at Ernest Coe parking lot, leaving no later than 6:30pm and caravan to our location. On arrival, we’ll set up and get ready for the show!

Be sure your car is fully gassed up as we may go all the way down near Flamingo.

Hope to see you there!