Overview

• The Geminid meteor shower, active from December 2 to December 21, will peak on the nights of December 12 and 13, with up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.
• The shower originates from debris left by asteroid 3200 Phaethon, making it unique compared to most meteor showers, which are caused by comets.
• This year's nearly full moon may make it harder to see fainter meteors during the peak, but bright meteors can still be observed earlier in the week.
• NASA recommends viewing the Geminids from a dark location away from city lights, starting around 9 or 10 p.m. local time and continuing into the pre-dawn hours.
• The Geminids are known for their vibrant colors, such as yellow and green, caused by the chemical composition of the meteoroids as they burn up in Earth's atmosphere.