If last week’s supermoon wasn’t enough of a celestial spectacle, we’ve got good news. One of the most impressive and reliable meteor showers of the celestial calendar, the Geminids, is set to light up Australian skies this week, potentially marking your final chance to wish upon a shooting star in 2025. Keen to catch the fast and furious space show? Here’s everything you need to know about watching the Geminid meteor shower in NSW.
What is the Geminid meteor shower?
While most meteor showers are the result of a comet, the Geminids come from debris shed by 3,200 Phaethon, a five-kilometre-wide asteroid that discards matter as it moves past Earth in space.
It first appeared in the mid-1800s, but it wasn't considered particularly notable at the time, offering just ten to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. The Geminids have grown considerably in scale across the centuries, today offering upwards of 150 meteors per hour in perfect conditions. This particular starry display is considered one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers, according to NASA.
When is the best time to see the Geminid meteor shower in NSW?
The Geminids began lighting up our skies on December 4 and will continue until December 17, but the real show peaks on the night of December 14–15. During that peak, up to 120 meteors could streak across the sky every hour. Bonus: the moon won't rise until around 2.00 am on December 14, allowing for prime viewing in the hours just before dawn. The peak viewing time in NSW will be from 10.40pm on December 14 until 4.55am on December 15.
How to see the Geminid meteor shower from NSW?
This year, conditions are ideal, with the moon rising after midnight, giving early-night viewers prime dark-sky conditions. For the best views, you'll want to find clear skies far from city lights and give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust. You should be able to see the brightest Geminids with the naked eye and can expect up to 120 shooting stars per hour (that's one every 30 seconds!) in perfect sky conditions. Want to maximise your chances? Check out our pick of the best stargazing spots in NSW.
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