The Geminids are usually the strongest meteor shower of the year and meteor enthusiasts are certain to circle December 13 and 14 on their calendars. This is the one major shower that provides good activity prior to midnight as the constellation of Gemini is well placed from 22:00 onward. The Geminids are often bright and intensely colored. Due to their medium-slow velocity, persistent trains are not usually seen. These meteors are also seen in the southern hemisphere, but only during the middle of the night and at a reduced rate.
Shower details – Radiant: 07:24 +32.3° – ZHR: 150 – Velocity: 21 miles/sec (medium – 34km/sec) – Parent Object: 3200 Phaethon (asteroid)
Next Peak – The Geminids will next peak on the Dec 13-14, 2021 night. On this night, the moon will be 78% full.
Data from the American Meteor Society.
Interactive animation from MeteorShowers.org.
