geminid meteor shower how often

The Geminid meteor shower is an annual meteor shower that occurs once every year in December.

How often and when

• The Geminids appear every year, typically active for about two to three weeks in early to mid December.

• They usually peak around December 13–14 each year, when rates and brightness are at their best.

What makes them special

• The Geminids are considered one of the most reliable and strongest yearly meteor showers, often producing up to 120 or more meteors per hour under ideal dark skies.

• Unlike many showers that come from comets, the Geminids are linked to the asteroid (or “rock comet”) 3200 Phaethon, which makes them somewhat unusual among major annual showers.

Quick viewing notes

• They seem to radiate from the constellation Gemini, near the star Castor, but meteors can streak across any part of the sky.

• Best views are usually from dark, rural locations late at night to early morning around the peak dates.

TL;DR: The Geminid meteor shower happens once every year in December, with a strong, reliable peak around December 13–14.