Geminid Meteor Shower to Peak This Weekend with Best Views in Northern Hemisphere
The Geminid meteor shower is set to peak this weekend and will be visible globally, with the Northern Hemisphere offering the best views. In the UK, a waning crescent Moon rises after midnight, potentially allowing for several hours of dark skies if conditions are clear. Under ideal dark-sky conditions, the Geminids can reach about 100 meteors per hour and are among the strongest showers of the year.
The shower originates from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, with scientists now identifying its tail as glowing sodium gas rather than just dust. Meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini; observers are advised to look slightly away from Gemini to get a wider field of view.
Viewing tips include watching with the naked eye under dark open skies, dressing warmly, and bringing a blanket or reclining chair, as no telescope is required. The peak occurs on Sunday, 14 December.
UK weather forecasts predict windy and cloudy conditions with rain, but some drier spells might occur on Sunday night. The best glimpses are expected in Northern Scotland, Northern Isles, East Anglia, and southeast England. For up-to-date cloud cover information, viewers should check the Met Office UK Cloud Cover Map.
