Geminids Meteor Shower: How to See Up to 120 Meteors Per Hour (Peak Dec. 12–13)

Bright, often yellow fireballs from the annual Geminids meteor shower light up skies around the world each December, offering one of the most reliable and spectacular meteor displays of the year. The shower forms in mid-November and lasts about a month, with a sharp peak that typically falls in the middle of December.

When To Watch

This year's peak is expected on Dec. 12–13. Under ideal, dark-sky conditions observers could see as many as 120 meteors per hour, with activity becoming noticeable as early as 9 p.m. on the nights of the peak and often growing brighter and more frequent after midnight. Meteor activity usually reaches its highest rate around 2 a.m. local time and continues until dawn — so patience and a late-night outing are rewarded.

What Causes the Geminids

Meteors, commonly called shooting stars, occur when small fragments of comets or asteroids — known as meteoroids — enter Earth’s atmosphere at very high speed and burn up, producing swift, colorful streaks across the sky. Unlike most meteor showers, which come from comets, the Geminids originate from an asteroid: 3200 Phaethon.

3200 Phaethon was discovered in 1983 and named after the mythological figure who drove the sun god’s chariot, because the asteroid’s orbit takes it very close to the Sun. It is relatively small, about 3.17 miles (roughly 5.1 kilometers) in diameter — smaller than some familiar city-to-city distances — yet it releases the debris that produces the Geminid meteors.

History and Where to Look

The Geminids were first recorded in the mid-1800s, when observers counted roughly 10–20 meteors per hour; since then the display has grown into one of the most prominent and dependable annual showers. The shower is named for the constellation Gemini, the area of the sky from which the meteors appear to radiate, but meteors can streak across much of the sky.

Best Viewing Tips

• Find Dark Skies: Get away from city lights and streetlamps. Light pollution drastically reduces the number of meteors you can see.
• Give Your Eyes Time: Your eyes need about 30 minutes to adapt to the dark — avoid looking at bright screens or lights during that period.
• Positioning: Lie flat on your back and look up, taking in as much sky as possible; NASA suggests pointing your feet roughly south to broaden your field of view.
• Dress Warmly & Be Patient: Nights can be cold; bring a blanket or reclining chair. The shower can continue until dawn, so stay comfortable and patient.
• Check Local Conditions: Weather, moon phase, and local light pollution will affect what you see — consult local forecasts for best times and visibility.

Visible from many places worldwide, the Geminids reward observers who plan ahead: clear, dark skies and patience often yield the most memorable show.

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