Meteor Shower
A Geminid fireball explodes over the Mojave Desert in the Jojave Desert, Calif., in 2009. The annual meteor shower peaks overnight Sunday but overcast conditions in Northeast Ohio likely will shield the view.
(Wally Pacholka, AstoPics.com via AP)
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Geminid meteor shower is being called the "weekend's best show." Unfortunately, residents in Northeast Ohio are getting an obstructed view.
Clouds are covering Cleveland and much of Northeast Ohio Sunday night and forecasters are calling for little break overnight.
That's a bad break for people who hoped to get a look at the meteor shower, which will peak between midnight and 6 a.m.
However, meteor enthusiasts have an option: The website Slooh.com is offering live video of tonight's meteor shower.
According to Earthsky.org, the Geminids appear each December when the Earth crosses through the debris left in the path of asteroid 3200 Phaethon. When the debris goes through the Earth's atmosphere, it creates the meteor shower.
Most of the debris is no bigger than a grain of sand and hits the atmosphere at about 79,000 mph, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Some meteors also might be visible Monday night, but Northeast Ohio weather again is unlikely to cooperate; the forecast is for more clouds and a chance of showers.
If you can find your way to some clear views, it's best to find the darkest area possible and allow 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust.