Geminid meteor shower 2019
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The Geminid meteor shower occurs when the Earth crosses the orbital path of a mysterious object called 3200 Phaethon 
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HOW TO SEE METEORS

Dec 13-14: Look from 9pm – peak around 2am

10°
Radiant
Castor 
Pollux
Betelgeuse
ORION
GEMINI
Rigel
Procyon
Sirius
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Looking East
(northern hemisphere)    

WHY WE SEE THEM

Jupiter
     
3200 Phaethon Orbits sun every 1.4 years

Gravitational force: Meteors are growing stronger because gas giant’s gravity is drawing particles from 3200 Phaethon ever closer to Earth

Venus
Earth
Mercury
Mars
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Dec 17, 2017: Radar image of 3200 Phaethon generated at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Unusually, object is referred to as rock comet since it shares characteristics with both asteroids and comets
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Sources: Space.com, Sky & Telescope, TheSkyLive. Planetary alignment as of Dec 13-14, 2019 Picture: Arecibo Observatory/NASA/NSF © GRAPHIC NEWS