The Geminid meteors peak Tuesday and Wednesday nights, December 13 and 14. Unfortunately this year the waning Moon will compromise the number of meteors you'll see. Rates for this shower average 85-130 meteors per hour. Skyglow from the Moon will limit visibility to only the brightest meteors.
You can observe the Geminids anytime after mid-evening but the best time will be in the hours before dawn. Shield yourself from the Moon and nearby lights and watch the darkest part of the sky. When you see a "shooting star" trace it's path. If it's a Geminid that line will take you to a point in the constellation Gemini which will be to the right of the Moon on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Bundle up and dress warmly when you go out, remember its December. Geminids are among the best showers of the year and relatively bright so even with the glare from the Moon you should see the brightest ones.
Read more here on NASA Science News
NASA has a new Meteor Counter App for iPhone

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