Geminid meteor shower to illuminate mid-December sky

One of the Northern Hemisphere's three major meteor showers, the Geminids, is peaking this weekend, offering excellent viewing conditions.

Alongside the Quadrantids in January and the Perseids in August, the Geminids are regarded as one of the Northern Hemisphere's most significant and reliable meteor showers. Known for its high and steady activity, the Geminids can reach a peak zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) of up to 150 meteors per hour.

What distinguishes the Geminids is their origin. While most meteor showers come from comets, the Geminids are produced by an asteroid 3200 Phaethon, a near-Earth object whose orbit intersects those of Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. Each year around December 14, Earth passes through debris left along Phaethon's orbit, creating the Geminid meteor shower.

For the best experience, observers are advised to stay away from city lights and avoid obstructions such as buildings or trees. As nighttime temperatures can be quite low in winter, dressing warmly is essential.

Looking ahead, skywatchers can also anticipate the Quadrantid meteor shower next month, which is expected to peak during the night of January 3 and the early hours of January 4, 2026.