These are the best spots to see the Geminid meteor shower in Ontario

The Geminid meteor shower will dazzle the night sky across Canada this week, and it’s set to peak this weekend. As summer skies are often clearer and ideal for stargazing, winter may bring its own challenges, with colder temperatures and typically cloudier weather. Despite the roadblocks, Ontario is home to a number of dark sky preserves that are perfect for nighttime viewing, and some are even closer to Toronto than you think.

When will I see the Geminid meteor shower?

According to NASA, the Geminid meteor shower peaks during mid-December each year. It is considered “to be one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers.”

“The Geminid meteor shower will sparkle across the skies this December, peaking on the evenings of Dec. 13 and 14,” it shares.

Meteor showers and visibility

These showers are known for being bright and colourful. Even with the darkest possible skies, you could see up to 120 Geminid meteors per hour, as NASA puts it.

Just last year, Canadian Space Agency’s Pierre Langlois told Curiocity that the Geminid shower is typically a more abundant one than the Perseids, which occurs in the summer.

“The Perseids are much more viewed because of the nice weather and the darker skies. So of course, if you want to have any action and see the Geminid showers, we need to have a very dark sky.”

Though it’s not impossible to see them in the winter, the chances are greater when the skies are clear. Luckily for us in Ontario, even if you’re in the city, you can still hit the road and catch clear skies at a dark sky preserve.

Dark Sky Preserves

Dark Sky sites in Ontario include Torrance Barrens Conservation Reserve, Manitoulin Eco Park, and Killarney Provincial Park. The closest one is Torrance Barrens, about a two-hour drive north of Toronto.

Bruce Peninsula National Park was first recognized in 2009 as a preserve for its captivating night skies, too.

All in all, if you want the best viewing opportunities, you’ll have to ditch the city for country roads and head north.

Will the skies be clear for the Geminids?

Considering Canada’s weather is unpredictable, it’s still too early to be certain. Snow is expected for parts of Ontario this week, including here in Toronto, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Though we’re up for a mix of weather, let’s keep our fingers crossed for a clear, cloud-free weekend to enjoy a spectacular show up in the night sky.

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