Geminid Meteor Shower: Here’s What To Know And How You Can See Highly Anticipated Event

North American stargazers can catch the peak of the Geminid meteor shower during the night of Dec. 13.

Observers could see up to 120 meteors per hour.

The Geminids are one of the Northern Hemisphere’s most reliable and spectacular annual meteor showers, known for producing bright, fast-moving, yellowish meteors, according to NASA.

The Geminid meteor shower started in early December and will continue into Dec. 21. (RELATED: Polar Vortex Could Trigger Major Snowstorm, Soul-Piercing Freeze Across Interstate 95 Corridor)

Even outside the peak, skywatchers could still see 40 to 50 meteors per hour.

The Geminids, visible from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, occur every December.

The highly anticipated event is widely regarded as one of the year’s most dependable and impressive meteor showers.

This weekend’s night sky will feature one of the best meteor showers of the year. The Geminid meteor shower will boast more than 100 meteors per hour for stargazers everywhere. pic.twitter.com/fwlP3WvNQp

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) December 9, 2025

The Geminid meteor shower first made an appearance during the mid-1800s, though they weren’t as spectacular as we know them today.

Initially, observers saw only 10 to 20 meteors per hour, but over time, the Geminids steadily intensified to evolve into one of the year’s premier astronomical events.

Unlike the majority of meteor showers that stem from comets, the Geminids are produced by asteroid 3200 Phaethon. As it circles the Sun every 1.4 years, it sheds rocky debris that becomes the Geminid meteoroids.

NASA recommends viewing the Geminids during the night and pre-dawn hours for the best experience, with peak activity usually beginning around 9 or 10 p.m.

For the best Geminid viewing, head to a location far from city lights and streetlights. Face eastward, lie flat on your back and gaze upward. After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will fully adjust and the meteors will become much easier to spot.