Meteor shower set to light up NZ skies

The Geminids meteor shower can create up to 100 shooting stars an hour. Photo / Thinkstock

Kiwis will have a chance to see one of the most world's spectacular meteor showers with the naked eye early tomorrow morning.

The Geminids meteor shower, which takes place throughout mid-December, would peak tonight, said Auckland's Stardome Observatory educator Tim Jessop.

"Your best time to see it is going to be when the Gemini [constellation] is at its highest, which is about 2am, low in the northern sky," he said.

"But you should see at least some meteors throughout the night."

He said the meteors would appear to radiate out from the Gemini constellation - hence the name Geminids.

Mr Jessop said the shower was a naked eye event, which meant it could be experienced by anyone without the need for a telescope.

He said there was no particular spot in New Zealand where sky- watchers would have the best view.

"As far away from city lights as possible is best, getting away from light pollution. There is no particular spot, it is going to be seen all across the world at the same time."

Unfortunately for those in the upper North Island, the miserable weather may obstruct a clear view of the shower, Mr Jessop said.

The Geminids meteor shower

The Geminids meteor shower takes place in the Gemini constellation each year.

Most meteor showers are the result of cometary debris, but the Geminids are linked to the unusual asteroid 3200 Phaethon - a rocky object with a comet-like orbit, which suggests it may have a cometary origin.

In New Zealand, only 50 per cent of the shower is visible, and the shower is best seen by those in the Northern Hemisphere.

The meteor shower is best spotted in New Zealand when the Gemini constellation is at its highest.

(Source: Carter Observatory website)