BOISE, Idaho — Treasure Valley stargazers got a shining display in the night sky this week in the form of the Geminids meteors.
The Geminids, which is an annual meteor shower that peaks during mid-December, were most visible Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. The Geminids – set apart from other meteor showers by their bright, colorful streaks – come from a different source than other meteors.
According to NASA, conditions were much more favorable due to the new moon, leaving a dark canvas across the night sky. NASA also said most meteor showers originate from comets, but the Geminids come from an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon.
Astronomer Fred Whipple discovered 3200 Phaethon in 1983, and named it after the Greek mythological figure who drove the sun god's chariot.
Phaethon's status as an asteroid is up for debate though, as NASA says it could be a "dead comet" or a "rock comet" – which is an asteroid that gets so close to the sun that heat scorches off dusty pieces.
Jordan Ragsdale captured the shower from his home in Eagle and shared videos of the celestial display in KTVB's Idaho Weather Watchers Facebook group:
Idahoans can join nearly 90,000 other members of the group to see stunning images and weather patterns across the Gem State by clicking here.
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