Geminid meteor storm hopefully will delight Utahns this weekend

Utah sky-watchers will have another chance this weekend to glimpse a meteor shower.

Those who were disappointed by the Leonid meteor storm that was predicted for November — which turned out to be more of a drizzle than a storm when bright moonlight washed out much of the display — may fare better after midnight Saturday morning.

When the annual Geminid meteor shower hit in past years — and if the moon wasn't in the sky — the shooting star count reached as many as 100 meteors per hour.

"Happily, the best time to watch this year's show is after midnight, and by that time the moon will set, leaving the skies nice and dark," said NASA's solar system ambassador to Utah, Patrick Wiggins.

The Geminid shower seems to originate in the constellation Gemini. Its meteors are among the slowest known. They are known for their "slow, graceful, colorful meteors," Wiggins said.

He advised watchers to get away from city light pollution, lie down, and look up, "and the meteors will call attention to themselves." A lawn chair and warm clothing will help.