Meteor Shower to Battle Supermoon Tuesday Night

But the show from the annual Geminid meteor shower will go on
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 13, 2016 2:20 PM CST
Meteor Shower to Battle Supermoon Tuesday Night
A Geminid fireball explodes over the Mojave Desert in 2009. This year's Geminid meteor shower peaks Tuesday night.   (AP Photo/AstroPics.com, Wally Pacholka)

Get ready for Supermoon vs. Geminids, the altercation near the space station (we're still working on this). Space reports the annual Geminid meteor shower will hit its peak Tuesday night, giving the world a chance to witness "one of the most impressive annual night-sky events." Unfortunately, that peak is scheduled to arrive only hours before the third and final supermoon of the year hits its fullest point, according to Sky and Telescope. The moon's unusual brightness is expected to reduce the number of meteors visible from 120 an hour to only 12 or so. But astronomers say the cosmic display should still be totally worth it. And for people who don't want to brave the chilly night air, the Slooh Community Observatory will be streaming the meteor shower online starting at 8pm Eastern. (More Geminid meteor shower stories.)

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