The Geminid meteor shower, renowned for its bright and vividly coloured meteors, promises a spectacular celestial show as Earth passes through the debris left behind by asteroid 3200 Phaethon.
Under optimal conditions, the Geminids can produce up to 120 meteors per hour. However, this year’s near full moon is expected to diminish the visibility of fainter meteors, potentially washing out some of the spectacle. Despite this, if skies are clear, it's still worth braving the cold to catch a glimpse of the dazzling display.
While the moonlight may obscure some of the meteor spotting, brighter meteors and occasional fireballs will still blaze so brightly that they will remain visible to the naked eye. The Geminid meteors will appear to radiate from the Gemini constellation. However, it's important not to focus solely on Gemini to spot the meteors; they will streak across the night sky, so it’s best to scan the surrounding constellations. Meteors nearer to the radiant tend to have shorter trails and are more challenging to spot.
Best time to watch
Peak activity of the Geminids usually occurs in the late evening and early morning hours, with the best viewing time around 2 a.m. local time, when the Gemini constellation, the shower’s radiant, is at its highest point in the sky.
Top viewing tips
If cloud cover or other factors thwart your meteor watching tonight, don’t worry. The Geminid meteor shower will remain active until 21 December, so you still have the chance to spot meteors in the coming days, particularly in the predawn hours when the moon will have set earlier.
For those hoping to photograph the Geminids, check out our guide on how to capture meteors and meteor showers. If you need gear for astrophotography, consider our recommendations for the best cameras and lenses for the job.
