The Geminid meteor shower peaks
When and where
The Geminids reach their highest activity late on December 13, with the display continuing into the early hours of the next day. Often hailed as the “King of Meteor Showers,” this event can deliver up to about 120 meteors per hour at its peak, creating a dazzling show of unusually bright streaks across the night sky.
So what can you expect to observe this year during the culmination of what many consider the year's premier astronomical spectacle? On a night with perfect visibility, observers under a dark sky could glimpse more than 100 meteors per hour. This year’s peak, however, is forecast to yield roughly 30–40 visible meteors per hour. Even so, because Geminids are notably brilliant, the display will still be impressive and well worth watching.
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The Moon
December’s Cold Moon — the third consecutive supermoon — set the stage earlier this month for what will be a final supermoon in January to inaugurate 2026. As we approach a new lunar phase, the Geminid meteor shower will rise in all its splendor… provided the clouds cooperate. Even with imperfect skies, the Geminids often shine through, and unlike many meteor showers, they can be seen throughout the entire night.
How to get the best view
The Geminids originate from the constellation Gemini, but they actually occur as Earth passes through the dust trail left by asteroid 3200 Phaethon, the first asteroid linked to a meteor shower.
To maximize your viewing, seek out a dark locale far from city lights. For the best experience, lie down with your feet pointed south and give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness so meteors become more readily visible.
