Geminid meteor shower peaks December 13 and 14
December 12, 2004, during the Geminid meteor shower.
Credit: Photo © 2004 Alan Dyer
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Our planet Earth is now passing through a stream of debris in space.
Some of this debris will enter Earth’s atmosphere to appear as “shooting stars” in our night sky. In other words, these next few nights are the peak nights of the Geminid meteor shower. Tonight and Friday night are great times to look.
The Geminids are one of the year’s best meteor showers. It’s a consistent and prolific shower that typically produces 50 or more meteors an hour, or about one every minute. You can expect the Geminid meteors to start flying around mid-evening tonight.
The moderately fast Geminid meteors slice through Earth’s atmosphere at some 35 kilometers – or 22 miles – per second. These meteors originated in a mysterious object called 3200 Phaethon, which looks like a cross between an asteroid and a burned-out comet. The Geminid meteors are named for the constellation Gemini, the Twins. If you were to track these meteors backwards on the sky’s dome, you’d find them streaming from a single point in the sky. This point – called the radiant point – lies close to Gemini’s bright star, Castor.
But you don’t need to know Gemini to see the meteor shower. Tonight’s Geminid meteors will streak all over the sky. Just find a dark sky, and enjoy.
Earth & Sky’s meteor guide for 2008
Here’s the help you need to see a meteor shower.
My family & I really enjoy watching the night sky. I especially love to look at the stars & keep track of Meteor Information.
I also like the Lunar Eclipse we were out there looking at it on the last one that occured.
Regina,
At Earth & Sky, we do our best to keep you posted on what’s happening in the heavens. December will be a great month for sky watching, so keep an eye on our skywatching center.
On the night of Feb. 20, 2008, the Americas will have a ringside seat to the total eclipse of the moon. Hope it’ll be clear that night, because the next total lunar eclipse after that won’t be till Dec. 21, 2010!
Bruce
Hi there, Bruce, I was thinking of goin down to the beach to watch the meteor shower with a friend on the 13th. Do you know what the peak time might be?
Erin,
It’s just a guess, but the greatest number of Geminid meteors will probably fall around 2 o’clock local time on the morning on Dec. 14. (That’s when the radiant of the shower is the highest in the sky.) But since the meteors often come in spurts, give yourself at least an hour of viewing time. Better yet, make a night of it!
Clear Skies!
Bruce
Hi, recently snowing at Ottawa,Ontario is that still possible to get a clear sky ? What time around will be the meteor show start at Ottawa time? My time zone is GMT -5.00
Hi Jeng,
I live only 1.5 hours away from you, on the other side of the St. Lawrence Seaway. It looks like we’re in for a doozie of a storm for the next few days.
Concerning the Geminid meteor shower . . . I think it’s likely that we’ll be seeing the first Geminid meteors around 7 to 8 pm, if not sooner. The radiant of the shower will be low in the northeast sky at that time, so the meteor numbers probably won’t be high. The most prolific outpourings generally come after midnight, when the meteor radiant is much higher in the sky.
I like to watch the early meteors, because they tend to shoot across the sky and to display more elongated paths. These early evening meteors are often called earthgrazers. After midnight, the radiant is quite high, almost overhead, so these late night meteors fall more or less downward, rather than across the sky. Though you’ll probably see a much greater number of meteors after midnight, they’re likely to exhibit more foreshortened paths.
Bruce
Hi there,I was wondering if you could tell me what the best time would be in the eastern time zone of the US to view the meteor shower? And which date? Either the 13 or the 14th? Or would it technically be the 14th if it’s after midnight? We were planning on going to the beach to view but I’m not sure if it would be better to just go to an open field so as not to have any atmosphere interference from the ocean? Thanks,Jenn B.
Yes, Jenn, the night of the Dec. 13-14 will probably offer the greatest number of meteors in the US.
Bruce
I was wondering what time and when would be the best time to view the shower in central U.S. Would it be the best time on the 13,14,or 15 to view it? thanks
Chandler,
The best time for viewing the Geminid meteor shower in the US will probably be on the night of December 13-14. All other things being equal, the most prolific outpouring of meteors happens when the meteor shower radiant is highest in the sky. That’ll be at about 2 o’clock in the morning. But don’t discount the night before or the night after, especially if it’s clear. First of all, find a dark, open sky – far away from pesky artificial lights. Then watch the meteors from the comfort of a reclining lawn chair – or an outdoor hot tub!
Bruce
I love listening to Earth and Sky in the morning on CJLS and I was wondering is there is going to be a full moon on Christmas night thanks !!!!! :)
Erica,
As seen from North America, the moon is full on the night of December 23-24. You’ll see it right next to the planet Mars, which shines brighter in December 2007 than it will shine again until May 2016. Click here for a sneak preview!
Bruce
How far North can the Southern Cross (crux) constellation be seen?
I am vacationing in the Cayman Islands and saw 4 stars in the shape of a cross, and wondered about it.
Also, I am looking forward to the Geminid meteors.
Jim Klick
Jim, I’ll jump in here. You certainly should be able to see the Southern Cross, at times, from the Caymans. I think most of it should be visible at one time or another from about 25 degrees North latitude (roughly the Florida Keys), and the Cayman Islands are south of that. However, because it is still far to the South, it would be visible only for a limited time, at certain times. Right now it is rising shortly before dawn.
Larry S.
Denver
Jim,
Yes, it’s a commonly thought – though incorrectly – that the Southern Cross is only visible in the southern hemisphere. Our upcoming Dec. 29th Tonight’s Sky talks about seeing the Southern Cross in Hawaii, whose latitude is comparable to that of the Cayman Islands.
Bruce
Hello, i’m faye. Where i live, in pennsylvania, on the 13-14th it is going to be cloudy and rainy. but not on the night of the 14-15th. would i still be able to see a show?
Will the shower or the eclipse be visible in Alaska? And if so, about what time? we have plenty of dark hours in the winter, but I’m used to getting the short end of the celestial stick up here. Seems like we’re always too far north, or our window of opportunity is too short. Thanks!
Ps…I don’t dislike the Northern Lights…but I’d like some real fun for once!
Faye & Kali
The prospects should still be good for the night of Dec. 12-13 or Dec. 14-15. If it’s clear, by all means take advantage!
Kali, Alaska is in a good position to watch the Geminid meteors. Start watching around early to mid evening, and watch the meteors pick up steam by late evening and after midnight. From Alaska, you can also see the planet Mars. As for the total lunar eclipse that’s coming on Feb. 20, 2008, I’m happy to inform you that Alaska (especially the northern and eastern portions) gets to see the show. Make sure to find an unobstructed eastern horizon, for the moon will be rising partially eclipsed as the sun sets!
Hi this is Jeremy… I want to take my girl friend to see the geminids… I live in orlando florida… At what time should i go out to see them on the 13 or 14…
if i am from malaysia, will it be possible to watch the Geminid meteors?
and what time and day would be best to watch the meteors?
also, if it is possible to watch the meteors, do we have to be on higher ground or will it still be visible on normal ground?
thanks~
When you are say 2 a.m. is this pacific time? I live in Virginia, How will the shower be there and the peak time?
Hi. Live near chicago and I was wondering what the peak time was for the shower.
To Jeremy, Stef, Lee and Jose,
Everyone in the northern hemisphere is in a good position to watch the Geminid meteor shower, as long as you find a clear, dark, open sky away from intrusive artificial lighting. Give your eyes 20 minutes to adapt to the dark and give yourself as least one hour of viewing time. If it’s clear on the night of Dec. 12-13 or Dec. 13-14 or Dec. 14-15, by all means watch the Geminids while you have the opportunity. In North America, the best night for viewing will probably be Dec. 13-14, and according to Sky & Telescope magazine, the best viewing for Asia will probably be on the night of Dec. 14-15.
No matter where you live, the radiant of the shower is highest in the sky around 2 a.m. local time (2 hours after midnight). All things being equal, the greatest number of meteors tend to fall when the radiant is highest in the sky. However, you should be able to see some Geminid meteors flying through the sky in the evening hours, even though the number won’t be as great.
Bruce
Hi there, I am in Ft Lauderdale Florida and have NEVER seen a shooting star, shower or anything and would love to take advantage this week of the geminid shower. What would be the best time for me to go out to the beach and watch? thanks!
Most of the articles I’ve read state that the Geminid shower can be viewed from Central Asia eastward to Alaska. I’m in West Asia, in the country of Qatar, and am wondering if we’ll be able to view it. Would it be the night of the 13/14th? Would we be able to see anything as early as 9-10 p.m. our time?
Michelle & Marilyn,
Late at night, or during the hours between midnight and dawn should be fine for watching the Geminid meteors. (If it’s clear, try these nights: Dec. 12-13, Dec. 13-14 or Dec. 14-15.) Yes, Marilyn, you should be able to see some meteors (given a dark sky) around 9 to 10 p.m. your time. By the time the waxing crescent moon sets at early to mid evening, look for the first few meteors to streak the sky. For more details, please read comment #24.
Michelle, here’s to you seeing your first shooting star!
Bruce
Hi, like Michelle above, I also have never seen a shooting star or meteor shower. I’m in Orlando, FL and want to know what direction I should be looking in before midnight and after midnight.
Liz,
Remember, the meteors shoot all over the sky. If you have a group of friends with you, each person can cover a different section on the sky’s dome. Here’s how I do it: at early evening (about when the moon sets), I lie down in my lounge chair, and have my feet point eastward (in the direction opposite of sunset – or moonset). Around midnight, I have my feet point southward, but I live in upstate NY. At your southern latitude, you might be doing just as well to have your feet point northward – though it probably doesn’t really matter. When it’s close to dawn, I have my feet point westward.
If all that seems too complicated, simply lie down and look overhead. Find a dark, open sky free of glaring lights!
Good luck!
Bruce
hi! i live in los angeles and is usually very polluted. Do you know where would be the best place around here to watch the meteor shower?
Thanks!!
Hi…what time should we watch the geminid here in philippines
Thx.
Ursu & Arjay,
In California or elsewhere around the world, perhaps the mountains or a beach somewhere would ensconce you with a dark sky and an open view the heavens. In the Philippines, try the nights of Dec. 13-14 and 14-15 for meteor watching. The former date will probably be better for the Americas, whereas the latter date will probably be better for East Asia. You should be able to see meteors by mid evening, though the greatest numbers usually rain down after midnight and before dawn.
Heyy again, thanks for the advice for the leonid meteor shower, saw tons of em :). Anywayz,the 12/13 and 14/15 are still good nights to watch besides 13/14 right?
THANKS :)
Yes, Taha, those nights should offer some Geminid meteors too! For the Americas, the peak night is expected to be Dec. 13-14, whereas in East Asia, it’s Dec. 14-15. But meteor showers are known to be fickle and to defy hard-and-fast predictions, so there’s no substitute for plain old-fashioned observation!
Bruce
Thank you for the information. I always seem to wait until the last minute to find out when the peak time is and this time is no exception. I will be bundled up as always to view the meteors, though from my apartment building. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to go some place completely dark to view the shower — though I hope to some day. I have had some success in the past in viewing meteor showers. I really had a great view of the Orionids this year. And I even saw a few stragglers the next morning before sunrise on my way to work.
I like to set up (camera and lawn chair) about half an hour before the peak in order for me to get used to being out in the dark. The shower tends to dwindle after about an hour (I’ve noticed)...
Hi, we live in Auckland, New Zealand and I was wondering if the best time to see the meteor showers would be on the 13 and 14th along the lines of the asia viewing times? Could you please advise
Thanks
Yuriko & April,
Yuriko, where do you live? Anyway, the peak will probably be around 2 to 3 in the morning.
Yes, April, you are correct: what applies to East Asia also holds true for New Zealand & Australia. The predicted peak night for your part of the world is Dec. 14-15. Since you live so far south, the radiant of the Geminid shower will rise much later at night than in the northern hemisphere, and in addition, the radiant won’t climb as high in the sky. Lie on a reclining lawn chair with your feet pointing northward, starting around midnight. The wee hours after 2’oclock (on Dec. 15) and before dawn will probably be your best bet.
Good Luck!
Bruce
Hi Bruce. Just wondering what your thoughts are on the return of Nibiru? Thanks.
..Thanks for the info. i really love gazing the sky! __ and i aint gonna miss this one! thanks a bunch!
I get information for radioamateurs, i’m a short wave listener + VHF, and the most give as peak time for the shower 16.30 UTC. We use the shower as “reflector” and transmit via that way. The distance is max. 2500 KM. Maybe nice to know.
Have all luck with watching the show.
Harry in The Netherlands.
I forgot to write that the show peaks on December 14
Joshua,
I have to confess that I know little about the putative planet Nibiru. Is its return somehow related to the massive Earth changes that are suppose to happen on Dec. 21, 2012? Most of what I learned about Nibiru was found at cyrstalinks. How about your thoughts on the subject?
Bruce
Thanks, Harry! Your prediction for the Geminid peak at 16.30 UTC (Dec. 14) closely corresponds with that given by the Observer’s Handbook, 17 hours Universal Time (11 a.m. Central Time). It’ll be interesting to see how close these predictions are.
Bruce
thanx bigg boy i had fun lookin at your site
heyy.. I’m from Malaysia.. I live in a condominium. So, you know there’s alot of light at night.. So is it possible to see the Giminid Meteor shower ? To be specific , I live in Kuala Lumpur. Can you tell me the exact time and date when I can see the meteor ?
Michelle,
If the Observer’s Almanac is correct (and that’s a BIG IF), the predicted peak is for Dec. 14, at 17 hours (5 p.m.) Universal Time (UT). I believe you have to add 8 hours to convert UT to your time zone in Kuala Lumpur, which places the time of the peak at 1 a.m. on Dec. 15 for your part of the world. I won’t say that it’s impossible to see meteors from Kuala Lumpur, because I once saw some meteors (though very few) from a rooftop in New York City (October, 2006).
Bruce
It’s so cloudy in Mississauga,Ontario right now.. I dont think i’ll b able to see anything!! Someone take a vid and post it on youtube please :) haha.
Bruce, just found your site doing a Google search for light in sky December 13. About 5:50 a.m. about 1/2 mile from Vermont Quebec border saw a bright round light for about 3 seconds in the northern sky, about half the size of a full moon. It did not move in the sky. ABout 1 minute later saw another light, smaller, and further up in the sky, the same round shape. It didn’t move either. Were these part of the meteor shower?
Um bruce one more question, since i missed the meteor shower 13/14(way too cloudy)i’ll try to see tonight 14/15 for any. Do you have an estimate for how many meteors per hour there maybe as well as the peak for that night? Comparinh to yesterdays peak night?
Thanks
hey bruce,
Do you know what time will i be able to see the shower on 13/14 or 14/15,I live in Dubai,Middle East and usually i cant find a dark sky(way 2many lites here),but if its after midnite the lights are less,thnx bruce in advance!
ive too never seen a shooting star and hope to seein one with your help!
Susan, Taha, Chetan,
Susan, meteors are fast moving and streak across the sky, so the lights you saw probably weren’t meteors.
Taha, Chetan,
I didn’t see any meteors last night (Dec. 13-14), because of snow. But I did see a handful of Geminids from 10 to 11 p.m. on Dec. 12. If it’s clear tonight (Dec. 14-15), give it a go. I’m guessing 2 to 3 in the morning will be the best time to watch. The Geminids tend to drop off rather quickly after the peak night, so I’ll hazard a guess of 15 to 20 meteors per hour for the night after.
Bruce
WOW !
It is exciting to see so many interested in the Geminids… and congratulations to ALL; you’ve found the BEST SITE for info on the night skies. Thnx to the whole crew at EARTHSKY and especially to you, BRUCE for keeping up with all these queries.
i live in the US’NorthEast, Eastern PA to be exact, and did not get to see even one half of a degree of sky last night.
The weather has not cooperated … = \
Still, i will be out this evening and past midnight hoping to catch a glimpse of atleast a few rogues. What are the chances that i would get to see an “EARTHGRAZER”?
Wish me luck!
CLEAR SKIES !
.eRNeSTo.
It’s clear and beautiful, and the Geminids are flying! Bruce
hey guys, last night was awesome
i saw like 2 or 3 shooting stars before my butt got frozen and i went back inside :)
im so interested in this because i never seen this in my life
i live in california and its clear skies.
how do i deal with people thiking im weird for going outside that late to star gaze? thanks guys
My kids and I were up late last night 12/14/07, to watch the meteor shower and we were not disappointed. Between 11pm and 12am we saw 10-15 in the hour we watched out of our back window. We saw at least 2 larger ones, I guess they are called fireballs, they had smoke trails behind them!
The night before I stayed up late, 12/13, to see if there would be a good show of the metoers. It was after 12am, and I saw a lot, mostly just the ones that streak the sky, but I did see one bright fireball. So bright in fact that it’s light lit up it’s somke trail and caused a shadow behind it. I thought some one may be interested in hearing how lucky we got in seeing these, it was really a great show this year! We live north of Atlanta, GA
Wow u guys are soo lucky, i stayed up late (around 4ish) on 13/14 and 14/15 and nothin.. it was so cloudy.. so disappointed. Theres another meteor shower on the 23rd i believe? I know its definetely not as great, but is it worth watchin Bruce?
I went out last night12/14 around 2am and waited for the skies to clear, I read somewhere the best time was 2-3am . But i didnt see nothing . I live here in new york, suffolk to be exact. Where should i drive to get a good glance? I never seen one before! Is it going to happen again tonight 12/15 and in what direction should i be looking at? Thank you!
Also.. I’ve read about the Geminid meteor shower lasting till the 19? How many would you expect to see between 16/17 and 17/18 or even 18/19? Havent seen any geminids yet since all the clouds over mississauga ont. Although, 16/17 and 17/18 arnt lookin so bad.
Thanks Bruce :)
The least likely place you think you would see one would be from the middle of manhattan, NY. But sure enough this morning at 3am in the city of lights, in the city that never sleeps I saw one walking west to the train from the east village. I gasped as it disappeared behind the buildings. It was orange with a nice blue tail, very low in the atmosphere and the length of it was longer than any plane you would ever see in the sky . Being a bit paranoid after seeing the movie previews from “ I am Legend “ ( the geminid reminded me of whatever destroyed the brooklyn bridge )I hoped that I wasn’t going to run into mayhem by the time I got to the next avenue.
Thanks for sending your reports on the Geminid shower! A mixed bag to be sure, with cloudy weather obscuring the display for a number of people. The Geminids go on till about Dec. 18, but drop off quickly after the peak date. The last stragglers are few and far between, perhaps offering one Geminid meteor per hour. Don’t expect too much from the next shower on Dec. 22-23 – the Ursids. First of all, it’s a relatively minor shower, and second, many Ursid meteors will be lost in the light of the waxing gibbous moon. The next decent shower will probably be the Quadrantids in early January. For more, read Earth & Sky’s 2008 meteor guide.
Bruce
On Friday AM I saw about 8 in 30 minutes. The sky here in Southern Illinois was clear and we had a great view of the heavens.
Jyna,
I’m wondering if you saw a space junk meteor. About a year ago, a Russian rocket body fell over Colorado, creating quite the fiery meteor display.
Bruce
I saw perhaps a earth-grazer, bolideor large fireball among the geminid asteroids at roughly 10:15 PM (PST) in Santa Cruz, California. It was bright blue and very large tail. Anyone else see this? Can they be blue, am I mistaken?
Yes, Eric, the larger and brighter Geminid meteors can show color, typically yellow, blue or green.
Bruce
Tonight in Alaska at about 10:00 pm looking towards the North, my friend saw an amazingly bright meteor or something that he thought was a firework. Was green with quite a tail. Is this a remnant of the geminid shower (which we thoroughly enjoyed from near the top of Hatcher Pass on the 13 and 14). Or a fireball? Sounds like what Eric above saw. Wish I had seen it.
Nancy
Hi! I have never been on a site such as this before, but I was thrilled to be out in the Geminid meteor shower despite my ignorance that it was coming. At about 3 AM on December 15th I was driving north in the Susguehanna Valley, PA, and had already seen at least 3 bright “shooting stars.” Suddenly, almost directly ahead of me, an ENORMOUS green ball with a dramatic tail came streaking down…it seemed to explode into color just as it was extinguished. Glorious! Had to find out what I saw…thanks for the site!
A friend and I was camping deep in the woods on the 14th or 15th of December of 2007 when I noticed a large blob in the sky. It was not moving very fast and was moving southwestearly to northeastearly. We grabbed a set of binculars and seen a sharp object pointing in the direction of travel with a large debris field following behind and surrounding the object. We could not determine what this was. We did see the meteor shower which was going the opposite way. This blob lasted about an hour in the night sky. We were about 50 miles north of Escanaba Michigan. If you could tell me what this was, we would certainly appreciate it.