Geminid Meteor Shower December 2012: Most Intense of 2012, Expected to Last for Days

The most intense meteor shower of the year will peak on Dec. 13 and 14. The Geminid meteor shower is the final shower of 2012 and is expected to last for days and be seen anywhere on Earth.

"Of all the debris streams Earth passes through every year, the Geminids' is by far the most massive," NASA astronomer Bill Cooke said. "When we add up the amount of dust in the Geminid stream, it outweighs other streams by factors of 5 to 500."

Best time to see the shower? - Between local midnight and sunrise on Tuesday, Dec. 14, since the Moon is low and the constellation Gemini is high overhead, spitting bright Geminids across a sparkling starry sky, according to NASA.

NASA said the earth will pass through the Geminid debris stream in December and producing up to 120 meteors per hour over dark-sky sites.

As with the Orionids shower in October, here are some viewing tips from Discovery:

Find a dark sky:While the Orionids have been a fairly dependable meteor shower in recent years, the best viewing conditions are in places far from city lights, which can hamper your view.

Dress warmly:You may want to take your time observing the Orionids, so a warm jacket to ward off the predawn chill may prove useful.

Get comfortable:A reclining lawn chair or other comfy seat can help ease neck strain from constantly looking up for a glimpse of meteors. Add a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate and you've got cozy meteor-hunting night out.