Geminids 2026

Meteor shower from (3200) Phaethon · up to 150 meteors per hour

Next peak (showing UTC)

Active
to
Moon at peak
22% lit
Speed
35 km/s

Choose a location to see how high the radiant climbs from your city.

About the Geminids

The Geminids are caused by Earth crossing the trail of dust left by (3200) Phaethon. The meteors appear to stream from a point called the radiant, at right ascension 112° and declination 33°, and hit the atmosphere at about 35 km/s. The peak is defined by the Sun's ecliptic longitude of 262.2°, which is why the date shifts slightly from year to year.

The zenithal hourly rate of 150 assumes a perfectly dark sky with the radiant overhead. From most locations expect fewer, and far fewer if the Moon is bright. The radiant is well placed from both hemispheres.

Upcoming peaks

YearPeak (UTC)ActiveMoon at peak
2026 to 22%
2027 to 99%
2028 to 7%
2029 to 62%
2030 to 85%
2031 to 0%

Choose your location

Moon times, dates and names depend on where you are. Pick a city; we will remember it.

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