The "best meteor shower of the year" has peaked above Irish skies.
Astronomy Ireland said the geminid meteor shower lasts for about 2 weeks between 4 - 20 December.
However, the group said the event peaked on 14 December "so rates will be highest Friday night and Saturday nights".
Called a "meteor storm" because of its intensity, the shower is known as one of the most spectacular and consistent meteor showers.
It has been known to produce more than 150 meteors per hour at its peak, although light pollution and other factors mean that in reality the actual number visible is generally far less.
The geminids originate from a rocky asteroid called 3200 Phaethon with a comet-like orbit and were first observed in 1862.
The meteors, small pieces of interplanetary debris, appear to radiate from near the bright star Castor in the constellation Gemini.
These colours are partly caused by the presence of traces of metals such as sodium and calcium, the same effect that is used to make fireworks colourful.
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David Moore, of Astronomy Ireland, said the event produces "many bright fireballs", with the meteor shower set to return tonight.
Mr Moore said: "In past decades the Perseid meteor shower in August was the best but this has declined somewhat in recent years to leave the geminids reigning supreme.
"This is also good news for the public because that August shower cannot be well seen until 11pm but the geminids begins as soon as it gets dark, around 5pm and runs until dawn."
People in rural Ireland are likely to get the "most spectacular views possible", but city dwellers will still see plenty, Astronomy Ireland said.
It advised stargazers that the "best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight".
