The Geminid meteor shower will reach peak activity during the night of December 13–14. The shower’s annual maximum is among the most reliable of the year, with a zenithal hourly rate near 150 meteors under very dark skies.
The constellation Gemini rises by 22:00 LT at mid-northern latitudes, allowing strong meteor activity well before midnight, which is uncommon among major meteor showers.
For 2025, observing conditions are favorable with the Moon a waning crescent, about 30% illuminated, rising after 02:00 LT on December 14 in many northern locations.
This provides several hours of moon-free darkness during the period when the radiant is rising, and meteor activity is increasing.
The exact moonrise time varies with longitude, so optimal viewing intervals depend on local conditions. After moonrise, observers can continue viewing by facing westward to minimize lunar glare.
Geminid meteors enter the atmosphere at approximately 35 km/s (22 mi/s), a medium velocity that produces bright, often strongly colored meteors but usually without persistent trains.
The meteors originate from debris shed by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, whose orbit delivers dense particle streams that intersect Earth’s path each December. The shower is observable from both hemispheres, though higher rates occur in the Northern Hemisphere where the radiant reaches greater elevation.
The radiant, located at right ascension 07h 28m and declination +33°, reaches around 30° elevation between 21:00–22:00 LT at mid-northern latitudes. As the radiant approaches its highest point near 02:00, observers under dark, unobstructed skies may record meteor rates approaching the expected peak. Light pollution and obstructions will significantly reduce counts.
Geminid activity increases from December 4–7, with a rapid rise in the nights immediately preceding the maximum. After the December 13–14 peak, activity declines quickly, with only a fraction of the maximum rate remaining by December 15–16.
The shower’s consistent strength is linked to the stable dust stream of 3200 Phaethon. The meteoroids are relatively dense, producing compact, bright meteors with a color distribution dominated by white and yellow, with occasional red, blue, or green events.
The moderate velocity and physical characteristics contribute to the Geminids’ reputation for brightness and color, despite the infrequency of persistent glowing trails.
Observers planning to view the peak should note that the darkest sky available will provide the highest meteor counts. The first half of the night offers moon-free conditions in 2025, followed by reduced interference after moonrise.
No stream enhancements are predicted this year, and activity is expected to follow the long-term average for this shower.