When it comes to sky shows, sometimes a lunar blessing can be a meteor's curse.
Friday night's biggest, baddest full moon is sure to capture the hearts of many a skywatcher. But it also means this year's Geminid meteor shower, due to peak the night of December 13-14, will be largely washed out by the satellite's shining face.
In recent years the Geminids have become the most active of the annual meteor showers, with peak rates of 110 "falling stars" an hour on record for 1996.
Last year's shower fell during a moonless night, prompting predictions of the "year's best" sky show for 2007.
A Geminid meteor as seen from San Francisco on December 14, 2007
—Photo courtesy Mila Zinkova
Not so for 2008. Astronomers predict that during this year's shower only the brightest meteors will cut through the moon's glare, and the folks over at EarthSky are even suggesting would-be skywatchers should skip the frigid December vigil and wait for a clearer view of the Quadrantid shower in early January.
Die-hard fans may get lucky, though, especially if you can get away from city lights and recline in the weekend chill.
► Read This Entire Post
