Geminid meteor shower peaks this weekend — how to watch

The annual Geminid meteor shower is set to peak this weekend, offering what is often one of the year's best and most reliable displays of shooting stars.

The annual Geminid meteor shower is set to peak this weekend, offering stargazers a chance to catch what is often one of the year’s best and most reliable displays of shooting stars.

The meteor shower has been active for more than a week, but it is expected to reach peak activity Saturday and Sunday evenings, according to NASA.

The shooting stars are visible in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, though the Geminids tend to be brighter and more frequent north of the equator because of the direction from which they stream in the night sky.

Under ideal conditions — clear weather and minimal light pollution — skywatchers may be able to see as many as 120 Geminid meteors per hour, according to NASA.

The Geminids are known to produce bright, colorful fireballs that streak across the night sky.