Look up: ​​The Geminid meteor shower peaks spectacularly tonight in the skies over Ireland

'They are a bright shower, often the meteors themselves can have multiple colours. Some of them can be very, very bright'

A huge meteor during the Geminid meteor shower in December 2009 at the Mojave Desert area in the United States. Picture: Wally Pacholka / Barcroft Media / Getty Images

Stargazers are in for a treat this week as the Geminid meteor shower lights up the skies, with the spectacle peaking tonight and tomorrow morning. Families in particular are being encouraged to go outdoors and see shooting stars “anywhere in the sky” this week.

Head of Blackrock Castle Observatory, Niall Smith says it’s a great opportunity for parents of young children to make some amazing memories in their own homes, even beyond the shower’s peak as the meteors will continue to appear in the night sky for a few more days.