If the sky is clear in your area this weekend, look upwards.

The 2014 Geminids meteor shower is best viewed in Australian skies on December 13 and 14, from 10pm.

In Perth, meteors are expected to be seen from about 10pm about 2.5deg. above the horizon, rising  to 26deg. by 2am.

However, moonrise at 11.48pm is likely to affect the visibility of meteors.

According to timeanddate.com, the best way to view the Geminids is outside the city, away from artificial lights.

Simply lie on the ground and look up. Bring a blanket, a comfortable chair and be patient.

There's no need to look in a particular direction although it is said the Geminids appear around the constellation Gemini, which is how the celestial event earned its name.

The Geminids are known as one of the more impressive meteor showers each year and occur annually between December 4 and December 17. The meteors are seen around the world.

The phenomenon relates to an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon. The Geminids is the only significant meteor shower associated with an asteroid; others, such as the Perseids and Leonids, are linked to comets.

DID YOU KNOW?

A meteor is the light generated when a meteoroid enters the Earth’s atmosphere.

The “shooting stars” of a meteor shower are created by particles of a size no more than a few centimetres.

For more information, visit the Time and Date website.

© The West Australian

Picture: Paul Williams, via Flickr Creative Commons.