Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks on December 14: Two Consecutive Nights of Prime Viewing

The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan has announced that the Geminid meteor shower will reach its peak around 17:00 on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

The peak night, when the most meteors are expected to be visible, is predicted to be from the night of December 14 to the dawn of the following day, Monday, December 15. More meteors than usual are expected to be observable over two nights: from the night of Saturday, December 13 to the dawn of Sunday, December 14, and from the night of Sunday, December 14 to the dawn of Monday, December 15. Although a thin moon past its last quarter will rise in the early morning, the impact of moonlight will be limited, and favorable observation conditions are expected.

When observing from a location with a dark sky, about 30 meteors per hour are expected to appear around 21:00 on Sunday, December 14. It is said that the highest number of meteors, around 50 per hour, can be expected between 23:00 on Sunday, December 14 and around 2:00 on Monday, December 15, when the radiant point is high in the sky. After that, even after the thin moon rises, about 35 to 45 meteors per hour are expected to be visible until dawn.

A significant number of meteors are also expected to be observable from the night of Saturday, December 13, the day before the peak, to the dawn of Sunday, December 14. In locations with dark skies, about 40 to 45 meteors per hour are expected between midnight and 4:00 a.m. on the 14th. Meteors appear to radiate from the radiant point, but they can appear in any direction, not just near the radiant point. It is recommended to look at as wide an area of the sky as possible when observing.

It is advised to continue observing for at least 15 minutes to allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness outdoors.