The Geminid meteor shower peaks overnight tonight (Dec. 13-14), bringing with it the potential for a breathtaking display of shooting stars as Earth barrels through the debris trail shed by comet 3200 Phaethon.

Up to 150 Geminid meteors may brighten the night sky each hour as the shower hits its peak on Dec. 13-14, according to the American Meteor Society (AMS), though the number you'll actually see will depend on your viewing conditions and the time at which you go hunting for the cosmic visitors.

Shooting stars appear when particles from ancient comets and asteroids collide with Earth's atmosphere, burning up in a magnificent display that can be easily visible to the naked eye. A particle no larger than a grain of sand has the potential to create a beautiful, short-lived meteor, while

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