Geminids: December’s Bright Meteor Display

The Geminids peak every December, producing one of the year’s most reliable meteor shows.
They are unusual because they come from an asteroid, 3200 Phaethon, not a comet.
The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini.
At peak, skywatchers can see up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.
Geminid meteors are often bright and slow, making them easy to spot.
Many display vivid colors—yellow, green, or even red—caused by different minerals.
The shower was first recorded in the 1860s, making it relatively recent in history.
It is best viewed after midnight, with meteors visible across much of the sky.
Unlike many showers, the Geminids perform well even without a dark moonless sky.
Their consistent brilliance makes them a favorite winter highlight for stargazers worldwide.