Geminid Meteor Shower 2025 Tonight: When, Where and How to Watch the Spectacular Display

What to expect: The Geminid meteor shower for 2025 begins the night of Thursday, Dec. 4, and will remain active through Dec. 17, with a peak on the night of Dec. 13-14. This year the show starts under a bright December full moon — the so-called Cold Moon — which will appear as a supermoon for several nights beginning Dec. 4.

Moon, timing and viewing tips

The December full "Cold Moon" rises Dec. 4, with peak illumination near 6:14 p.m. ET. Because the moon will be relatively low on the horizon it can look especially large and bright; its glow may reduce the number of meteors visible early in the night. Moonrise and moonset times vary by location, so check a local almanac or weather service for exact times.

For the best Geminid viewing: find the darkest location you can, lie back or bring a reclining chair, and give your eyes about 30 minutes to adapt to the dark. Observing after midnight into the pre-dawn hours typically yields the highest meteor rates; the shower commonly becomes noticeable as early as about 9 p.m., builds overnight and often peaks around 2 a.m. local time.

About the Geminids

The Geminids are one of the strongest and most reliable annual meteor showers. Unlike most showers that come from comets, the Geminids originate from asteroid 3200 Phaethon. Debris from Phaethon crosses Earths orbit every mid-December, producing meteors that appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini near the bright star Castor.

Under ideal, dark-sky conditions, observers can see as many as about 120 Geminid meteors per hour at peak. Geminids are noted for bright, often colorful trails and can be visible from many angles across the Northern Hemisphere.

Other active showers this month

The Northern Taurids are active from Oct. 20 through Dec. 10, 2025, and peaked the night of Nov. 11-12. At peak, Taurids may produce up to roughly 15 meteors per hour before the moon rises; they often appear yellowish-orange and radiate from Taurus. When the Geminids end around Dec. 17, the Ursids will begin later in the month.

Quick facts and extras

• Geminids active: Dec. 4 through Dec. 17, 2025; peak night: Dec. 13-14.
• December Cold Supermoon: rises Dec. 4; nearest point about 221,965 miles from Earth (third consecutive supermoon of 2025).
• Origin: asteroid 3200 Phaethon (not a typical comet).
• Best viewing: late night to pre-dawn; allow eyes to adjust; avoid looking at bright screens.
• Winter solstice: Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 (shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere).

If you want local times for moonrise, moonset or sunrise/sunset, use trusted sources such as the Old Farmer's Almanac or your national weather service. Enjoy the show, and dress warmly for long observations on cold December nights.

Reported by Maria Francis. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com.