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Geminid Meteor Shower Set to Peak This Weekend With Dark, Moon-Free Skies

A late-rising waning crescent creates unusually dark conditions that should boost visibility to well over 100 colorful meteors per hour.

Overview

  • Peak activity is expected overnight Saturday into Sunday, with the best viewing from roughly 9–10 p.m. until about 3–4 a.m. before the Moon comes up.
  • NASA and the American Meteor Society forecast around 100–120 meteors per hour in ideal dark-sky locations, including occasional bright fireballs.
  • The display favors the Northern Hemisphere but will be visible worldwide, with local guidance pointing to late-night windows across India, Australia and Canada.
  • The Geminids originate from debris shed by asteroid 3200 Phaethon, producing relatively slow, bright meteors that typically enter at about 35 km/s.
  • No equipment is required; seek dark, open skies, dress warmly, avoid phone screens, allow 20–30 minutes for night vision, and check local forecasts as clouds could limit views.