The Geminid meteor shower, one of the brightest annual sky shows, will peak this weekend. Meteor lovers worldwide, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, will get the best views. In the UK, a waning crescent moon rises after midnight, which could keep the skies dark for hours if clouds stay away. Meteors appear when Earth passes through dust trails left by comets or asteroids. The Geminids come from asteroid 3200 Phaethon. Scientists recently found that Phaethon's tail glows with sodium gas, leaving some mystery about how the dust formed. Dr Robert Massey from the Royal Astronomical Society said, "What you'd be looking at in a nice dark sky without clouds would be, say, 100 an hour, which is amazing. It's pretty much the strongest meteor shower of the year." Moonlight might dull the show, but the thin crescent moon in its last phase will limit light disruption. However, weather is key. Clouds and rain forecast for much of the UK could block views. Northern Scotland, the Northern Isles, East Anglia, and southeast England may get clearer skies. The Met Office's UK Cloud Cover Map can help track viewing chances. You don't need telescopes or binoculars; just find a dark spot, shield against light pollution, and let your eyes adjust to the dark. Dr Massey encourages people to enjoy the natural spectacle: "There aren't that many entirely free natural treats. And this is one of them. So go out and enjoy it. You know, it's a way of connecting with the sky." The meteor shower peaks on Sunday, December 14, so plan ahead for the best experience.