The Geminid meteor shower is one of the most reliable and prolific meteor showers of the year. Unlike most showers that come from comets, the Geminids are debris from an asteroid, making them slow and bright. The radiant is in the constellation Gemini, and the shower is active all night long.
- Duration: November 19–December 24, 2025.
- Predicted Peak: ~03:00 UTC on December 14, 2025.
- Hourly Rate: One of the most prolific showers, with a peak rate of 40-50 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, and up to 150 per hour from a dark location.
- Radiant: In the constellation Gemini, near the bright stars Castor and Pollux. The radiant rises mid-evening.
- Parent Body: Asteroid 3200 Phaethon.
- Moon Phase: A last quarter moon occurs on December 11, 2025. A thin waning crescent moon will rise after midnight, leaving the earlier part of the night dark for viewing.
Radiant Point of the Geminid Meteor Shower
The Geminids appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini, near the bright stars Castor and Pollux. The radiant point rises in the evening and climbs higher throughout the night, making the meteors visible almost all night long.
Although they seem to come from Gemini, meteors can streak across any part of the sky. For best viewing, it helps to know the general location of the radiant, but staring directly at it is not necessary. Wide, overhead views are the most rewarding, as meteors often travel long distances away from the radiant.
Parent Body of the Geminid Meteor Shower
Unlike most meteor showers, which originate from comets, the Geminids come from an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon. This asteroid has an unusual orbit that brings it very close to the Sun, causing its rocky surface to break apart and shed dust.
Each December, Earth passes through this trail of debris, and the tiny particles burn up in our atmosphere to create bright meteors. 3200 Phaethon is about 5.8 kilometers wide and was discovered in 1983. Its role as a “rock comet” makes the Geminids scientifically intriguing, as they blur the line between asteroids and comets.
History of the Geminid Meteor Shower
The Geminids are a relatively young meteor shower compared to others. They were first reported in the mid-1800s, with only about 10 to 20 meteors per hour at the time. Over the decades, the shower has grown stronger, likely because Earth’s orbit is moving deeper into the densest parts of Phaethon’s debris stream.
Today, the Geminids rival the Perseids in August and, in many years, surpass them, delivering up to 120 meteors per hour. They are also known for producing bright, colorful meteors, sometimes with noticeable yellow or green hues caused by different elements in the debris burning in the atmosphere.
How to Observe a Meteor Shower?
The Geminid Meteor Shower, like most meteor showers, does not require any telescope or binoculars. In fact, wide, unobstructed views of the sky are best. Here are some practical tips to maximize your experience:
- Go as far as you can from the city lights. Darkness equals more meteors!
- Look away from screens and give your eyes at least half an hour to adjust.
- Instead of staring at one point, scan the whole sky or lie flat to catch more trails.
- December nights mean layers: coat, scarf, gloves, and hat.
- Staying out longer is easier with snacks, hot chocolate, and a chair.
Refer to our Meteor Shower Calendar!
