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Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks Dec. 13–14 Under Favorable Dark Skies

Unlike most showers, the Geminids come from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, producing frequent, colorful fireballs.

Overview

  • The peak occurs overnight Saturday into Sunday, with activity starting around 9–10 p.m. local time and strongest after midnight through pre-dawn.
  • Under very dark, clear skies, observers could see roughly 100–120 meteors per hour, with fewer visible where light pollution or clouds are present.
  • A waning crescent moon rises after about 2 a.m., leaving the evening largely moon-free and improving visibility.
  • Scan the darkest part of the sky or note the radiant in Gemini near Castor and bright Jupiter, and allow 15–30 minutes for your eyes to adapt.
  • The display is widely visible across the globe, best in the Northern Hemisphere, and requires no telescope or binoculars.