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Geminids Set for Weekend Peak With Best Viewing on Dec. 13–14

A late-rising waning moon should keep skies dark for much of the night.

Overview

  • The meteor shower is active December 7–17, with maximum activity expected in daylight on December 14, so the night of December 13–14 offers the best viewing.
  • Under clear, dark skies, observers could see roughly 120–150 meteors per hour near peak, though actual counts will vary with weather and light pollution.
  • Best results come after midnight when the radiant in Gemini is high; use Castor and Pollux as markers, with bright Jupiter nearby this year.
  • The shower’s debris originates from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, and the meteors’ relatively slow entry speed tends to produce longer, often bright trails.
  • Regional guides highlight strong viewing options in Bavaria, with DWD forecasts pointing to some clear spells and dark-sky sites such as the Bayerischer Wald and Winklmoos-Alm.