The Geminid meteor shower peaks Saturday night, Dec. 13, with over 100 meteors per hour possible under dark skies. The stream is active from Dec. 4–20, but this weekend offers the best viewing. The meteors come from asteroid Phaethon rather than a comet. For best results, get away from city lights, lie back and scan the eastern sky after dark (around 10 p.m. ET for many viewers); shift your view westward after the Moon rises.
Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks Saturday Night — How and When to See It
Geminids meteor shower peaks this week: What you should know to see the show
One of the year’s most spectacular and reliable meteor displays, the Geminids, reaches its peak on Saturday night, Dec. 13, when observers under dark skies may see more than 100 meteors per hour at maximum.
What’s Happening
The Geminids are produced when Earth passes through a dense debris stream left behind by the unusual parent object asteroid Phaethon. Unlike most meteor showers, whose material comes from comets, the Geminids originate from this asteroid — a blue, oddball body that may be related to the larger blue asteroid Pallas.
When And Where To Look
The shower’s radiant — the point in the sky where the meteors appear to originate — rises from the direction of the Gemini constellation between about 8 and 9 p.m. local time on Saturday and the display continues through the night. For many viewers in the Eastern Time zone, the sky will be well placed by around 10 p.m. ET, near bright Jupiter, which can help you locate the right region of sky.
“It’s one really good shower that’s kind of more bedtime friendly for kids,” said Lara Eakins, public outreach coordinator for the Department of Astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin.
Viewing Tips
- Get away from city lights—dark skies dramatically increase the number of meteors you can see.
- Lie back and look at a broad swath of sky rather than staring directly at the radiant; meteors often appear as streaks across the whole sky.
- Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to fully adapt to the dark. Avoid bright screens or use a red light.
- Dress warmly and bring a chair or blanket—comfort helps you watch longer and see more.
- If the Moon rises and brightens the sky later in the night, shift your gaze away from the Moon (often toward the west) to catch brighter meteors that still stand out.
What To Expect
Under ideal, dark-sky conditions, peak rates can exceed 100 meteors per hour. Many of the Geminids are bright and colorful, producing long, persistent trails. You don’t need binoculars or a telescope—this is a naked-eye event best enjoyed with the widest possible view of the sky.
Enjoy the show, and remember that meteor showers are best experienced with patience—spending an hour outside will increase your chances of seeing dramatic streaks and fireballs.
