Overview
- Best viewing runs from late Saturday evening into early Sunday, with activity building after about 10 p.m. and strongest near 2 a.m. local time before moonrise.
- Actual rates depend on darkness and weather, with the Northern Hemisphere generally favored but the shower visible worldwide where skies are clear.
- The Geminids often produce bright, colorful fireballs, and the American Meteor Society is monitoring reports during the peak.
- No equipment is needed; go to a dark site, lie back, avoid phone screens, and allow 15–30 minutes for your eyes to fully adapt.
- The meteors come from debris left by asteroid 3200 Phaethon, and those under clouds can use livestreams such as the Virtual Telescope Project or listen via LiveMeteors.com.