2024 Geminids Meteor Shower: What You Need to Know

One of the most breathtaking shows the night sky has to offer is happening right now. The Geminid meteor shower is set to peak on Friday night, December 13, into the early hours of December 14.

Here’s why this is a can’t-miss event. Known for their vivid yellow trails and spectacular fireballs, the Geminids are one of the brightest and most consistent meteor showers of the year. Even with a waxing gibbous moon dimming the faintest streaks, up to 15 meteors per hour are expected to light up the sky, making for a celestial performance unlike any other.

What makes this even more remarkable? These meteors aren’t from a comet like most meteor showers—they’re fragments of an asteroid, 3200 Phaethon, giving them a distinct brilliance. Don’t miss your chance to witness this rare phenomenon. Will you be looking up?

What Makes the Geminids Special?

Few meteor showers offer the brilliance and consistency that define the Geminids. Unlike most meteor showers, which originate from comets, the Geminids are unique in their asteroid origins. Their parent body, 3200 Phaethon, discovered in 1983, swings dangerously close to the Sun. This intense proximity causes the asteroid to heat up and shed rocky debris, fueling the Geminids’ spectacular show.