The Gemind meteor shower peaks

The countdown to 2026 is underway, but before the year ends we have the most active meteor shower of the year.

Sometimes nicknamed the "King of Meteor Showers," the Geminids peak late on the night of December 13th and last into the early morning hours. Capable of producing up to 120 meteors per hour at its peak, the shower itself offers a vibrant display of unusually bright shooting stars.

So, what will you see this year during the peak of what's considered one of the best astronomical events of the year? In a year with perfect visibility, more than 100 meteors per hour can be seen from a dark location. This year's peak is likely to produce only 30 to 40 visible meteors per hour, but since Geminid meteors are quite bright, it will still be a spectacular sight!

December's Cold Moon, which occurred at the beginning of the month, was the third consecutive supermoon; one more remains in January, which will kick off 2026. And now, as we head toward a new moon, the Geminid meteor shower will be visible in all its glory... if the clouds cooperate. However, it will still be a spectacular sight, and unlike many other meteor showers, the Geminids can be seen throughout the entire night.

Although the Geminids radiate from the constellation Gemini, they occur when the Earth passes through the debris field of asteroid 3200 Phaethon. 3200 Phaethon is the first asteroid to be associated with a meteor shower.

To enjoy the best view, it's ideal to find a dark location, far from city lights. The best way to see the meteors is to lie down with your feet pointing south. You'll also need to be patient. It will take about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the darkness enough to see the meteors easily.