There is a major Geminid meteor shower active tonight, and you can see it almost anywhere with dark, clear skies.
When to look
The Geminids peak the nights of December 13–14, with good activity tonight from about 9 p.m. local time, improving after midnight into the pre‑dawn hours. The very best rates are usually between midnight and around 4–5 a.m., when the shower’s radiant is high in the sky.
Where to look in the sky
Geminid meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini, near the bright stars Castor and Pollux, which are high in the sky after midnight. Practically, you do not need to aim exactly at Gemini—just lie back and look broadly overhead and across as much of the sky as possible.
Direction and location on Earth
This shower is best for the Northern Hemisphere but is also visible from many mid‑southern latitudes when Gemini is above the horizon. From most locations, face generally east in the evening (as Gemini rises), then more overhead and slightly south after midnight as Gemini climbs high.
Viewing tips
- Go to the darkest place you can, away from city and street lights, and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adapt to the dark.
- Do not use telescopes or binoculars; use just your eyes and a reclining chair or blanket so you can watch a wide area of the sky comfortably.
