About Geminid Meteor Shower Peak
The Geminids peak around the night of December 13–14 each year and are, by the numbers, the strongest meteor shower of all — up to 150 meteors per hour under dark skies. The countdown above tracks the time until the next peak night.
The Geminids are odd science: nearly every other shower comes from a comet, but these meteors come from 3200 Phaethon, a "rock comet" asteroid that sheds debris as the Sun bakes it on close approaches. The result is unusually dense particles that burn slow, bright and colorful — Geminids are famous for yellow, green and even blue streaks that last long enough to point at.
December viewing demands commitment — bundle up, bring a blanket and a lounge chair — but rewards it: the radiant in Gemini rises by mid-evening, so the show starts earlier than most showers, around 9–10 PM, and runs all night. With clear skies, a dark site and no Moon interference, the Geminids routinely deliver the best meteor night of the year — a fine warm-up two weeks before Christmas.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Sunday, December 13, 2026next |
| 2027 | Monday, December 13, 2027 |
| 2028 | Wednesday, December 13, 2028 |
| 2029 | Thursday, December 13, 2029 |
| 2030 | Friday, December 13, 2030 |
FAQ
When do the Geminids peak?
Around the night of December 13–14 every year — the live countdown above targets the next peak.
How strong are the Geminids?
The strongest annual shower: up to 150 meteors per hour under ideal dark-sky conditions at peak.
What makes the Geminids unusual?
They come from an asteroid (3200 Phaethon) rather than a comet, producing dense, slow, colorful meteors.
When should I start watching?
From about 9–10 PM local time — earlier than most showers — with rates climbing through the night toward 2 AM.