自动洗车机多少钱最低价 Geminid meteor shower peaks tonight! Here's how to see one of the best meteor showers of the year

dozens of geminid meteors streak through the sky above a tree.

The Geminid meteor shower is one of the most prolific meteor showers of the year. (Image credit: Li Xiang viaGetty Images) Jump to: What to expect tonight Best time to look Top viewing tips

The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most prolific meteor showers of the year peaks tonight, Dec. 13.

Famed for its bright, vividly colored meteors, the Geminids promise a spectacle as Earth passes through the debris left behind by asteroid 3200 Phaethon.

Under optimal conditions, the Geminids can produce up to 120 meteors per hour, but this year's near full-moon will likely wash out fainter meteors, reducing visibility. Still, if you he clear skies, it's worth bring the chill for a glimpse of this celestial treat.

You may like Two meteors are pictured racing through a starry night sky parallel to the Milky Way. Light pollution is visible above a silhouetted horizon and trees.

Two meteors are pictured racing through a starry night sky parallel to the Milky Way. Light pollution is visible above a silhouetted horizon and trees.

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Streaks of light shoot across a light purple night sky above trees and buildings as part of the Perseid meteor shower

Watch the 2025 Perseid meteor shower peak in free webcast Aug. 12 A bright meteor is pictured streaking across a starry night sky over a rocky landscape, as clouds lie low on the horizon.

A bright meteor is pictured streaking across a starry night sky over a rocky landscape, as clouds lie low on the horizon.

The Perseid meteor shower 2025 peaks Aug. 12-13: Here's what to expect from the dazzling cosmic light show What to expect tonight

While moonlight may hinder some meteor spotting efforts, brighter meteors and the occassional fireball can blaze so bright they'll still be visible. Geminid meteors will appear to radiate from the Gemini constellation but don't look directly at Gemini to spot the meteors, as the shooting stars will be visible across the night sky. Make sure to move your gaze around the nearby constellations as meteors closer to the radiant tend to he shorter trains and are more difficult to spot.

Graphic showing the constellation Gemini in the sky to the left of Orion with meteors appearing to originate from Gemini.

The Geminid meteor shower appears to radiate from the constellation Gemini. (Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic/Future)Best time to look

Peak Geminid activity typically occurs in the late evening and into the early morning hours, with the best viewing time around 2 a.m. local time when the Gemini constellation, the shower's radiant, is at its highest point in the sky.

You can also watch the Geminid meteor shower live online from the comfort of your own home courtesy of Astronomer Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project. The livestream is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. EST (2300 GMT) on Dec. 13, weather permitting.

Top viewing tips Night sky live

night sky graphic showing the milky way along the top of the circle with a pair of cartoon eyes in the center of the image.

(Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic/Canva)

Keep up to date with what you can see tonight with our night sky live blog.

You don't need any special equipment to see meteors. Make sure you dress warmly, bring blankets and perhaps a thermos of hot chocolate to make the experience all the most cozy.

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Don't worry if clouds or other factors put a stop to your meteor hunting efforts tonight. The Geminid meteor shower is active through Dec. 21, so you may still spot some meteors in the coming days, especially in the predawn hours when the moon sets earlier. To calculate sunrise and moonrise times in your location check out this custom sunrise-sunset calculator.

Top camera pick

Sony a7r iv camera product shot on white

(Image credit: Sony)

The Sony A7R IV mirrorless camera offers plenty of quality and value for money. Perfect for capturing stunning night sky shots. For a closer look, check out our Sony a7R IV review.

If you want more advice on how to photograph the Geminids, check out our how to photograph meteors and meteor showers guide and if you need imaging gear, consider our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.

Editor's note: If you capture an amazing view of the Geminid meteor shower or any other night sky view that you would like to share with Space.com for a possible story or gallery, send images and comments to: spacephotos@space.com.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you he a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

Daisy DobrijevicReference Editor

Daisy Dobrijevic joined Space.com in February 2022 hing previously worked for our sister publication All About Space magazine as a staff writer. Before joining us, Daisy completed an editorial internship with the BBC Sky at Night Magazine and worked at the National Space Centre in Leicester, U.K., where she enjoyed communicating space science to the public. In 2021, Daisy completed a PhD in plant physiology and also holds a Master's in Environmental Science, she is currently based in Nottingham, U.K. Daisy is passionate about all things space, with a penchant for solar activity and space weather. She has a strong interest in astrotourism and loves nothing more than a good northern lights chase!