How to Watch the Geminid Meteor Shower, Which NASA Calls 'One of the Best and Most Reliable'

Mar. 15, 2025

Geminid meteor shower.Photo: Getty /iStockphoto

The cosmos are active this month!

Fireworks aren’t the only things to light up the night sky as the year comes to an end — a spectacular meteor shower and dazzling full moon are predicted to radiate in the sky on back-to-back nights.

While the quantity is surely significant, the quality might pale in comparison due to the December full moon. Nicknamed the “Cold Moon,” this complete lunation is predicted to peak on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4:02 a.m. ET.

Unlike meteor showers, full moons dazzle the cosmos both astronomically and astrologically. Not only do they boast a bright, beautiful appearance — which can be detrimental to spotting shooting stars — but they produce extraordinary energy,affecting each of our zodiac signs.

According to celebrity astrologer Kyle Thomas, full moons tend to be “more emotional periods” and their effects can be felt “two days prior and four days after” they occur. They’re known to bring culmination, completion and revelations to our lives in the weeks surrounding its peak.

Despite the full moon’s glow, there’s still a chance to spot the Geminids from Earth — and the best part is, they can viewed from any location! All skywatchers have to do is look up!

Read on for how to spot the Geminids meteor shower, including where and when to point your eyes in the sky.

When does the Geminid meteor shower peak?

Geminid meteor shower 2020.Getty

The Geminid meteor shower peaks late night on Friday, Dec. 13 into early morning on Saturday, Dec. 14 this year. Known as one of the best and most reliable showers of the year, viewers can expect to see as many as 120 meteors an hour under perfect conditions, according to NASA.

How to view the Geminid meteor shower?

The Geminids can be viewed nearly everywhere across the globe, including visibility in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. NASA even considers these showers great for kids to watch because they start around 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., so they don’t have to stay up late.

Luckily, this particular shower can be seen with the naked eye, so expensive space-viewing technology like telescopes are unnecessary to purchase for this event. Plan to be outside early, though, to let your eyes adjust to the darkness.

Location, too, is important to ensure the best visibility — meaning, avoid cities and other areas known to produce light pollution. You want to situate yourself in a spot that is very dark so that the stars illuminate the night sky.

Where does the Geminid meteor shower appear in the sky?

Geminid meteor shower.Yuri SmityukTASS via Getty Images

That’s where the constellation Gemini (the “Twins”) is located, also known as the shower’s radiant (or point the meteors appear to be shooting from in the sky). It’s important to note, though, that the radiant is not the actual source of the meteors.

What meteor shower comes after the Geminids?

The Geminid wll be active until Dec. 24 this year. Then, the Quadrantid meteor shower will begin on Dec. 28 and shoot through Jan. 12, 2025.

source: people.com