Geminid meteor shower to light up Australian skies in near-ideal conditions
Australians will have a rare chance to witness the Geminid meteor shower as it peaks under near-perfect lunar conditions. Here’s the best times to watch the spectacular show.
The moon will be out of the way for this year’s Geminid meteor shower, creating near-ideal lunar conditions in Australia.
Known as one of the best and most reliable meteor showers no matter where you are on the planet, the Geminid is an annual meteor shower of shooting stars, with the possibility to see as many as an average of one shooting star per minute.
The meteor shower is as a result of the earth passing through a stream of debris left behind by an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon.
The Geminid meteor shower started on December 4, and will continue until December 20, 2025.
Where should I look to catch a glimpse of the Geminid meteor shower?
Jonti Horner, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Southern Queensland says Australian viewers should look North, Northeast, and Northwest to catch the dazzling shower.
“Layback and relax and spend as much as an hour or more out under the stars,” he said.
“Give yourself plenty of time to see things. Let your eyes adjust to the darkness. People in the north of Australia will see more than people in the south of Australia. But even from Hobart, you’ll still get a decent show”.
When is the best time to watch the Geminid meteor shower?
- Brisbane: 9pm Sunday, December 14 – 5am Monday, December 15
- Darwin: 9.30pm Sunday, December 14 – 6.30am Monday, December 15
- Perth: 10pm Sunday, December 14 – 5am Monday, December 15
- Sydney: 11pm Sunday, December 14 – 6am Monday, December 15
- Canberra: 11pm Sunday, December 14 – 6am Monday, December 15
- Adelaide: 11.30pm Sunday, December 14 – 5.30am Monday, December 15
- Melbourne: 12am – 6am Monday, December 15
- Hobart: 12am – 5am Monday, December 15
Originally published as Geminid meteor shower to light up Australian skies in near-ideal conditions
