Hey, stargazers! 🌟 Tonight through the weekend, the Geminid meteor shower is set to dazzle the mid-December sky. One of the Northern Hemisphere's most reliable shows, the Geminids can light up your night with up to 150 shooting stars per hour.
Unlike most meteor showers born from comets, the Geminids come from asteroid 3200 Phaethon. As Earth crosses Phaethon's path around December 14 each year, it runs into dusty debris that burns up in our atmosphere, painting bright streaks across the sky.
For the best view, head away from city lights—think a quiet rooftop in Mumbai, a park in Jakarta, or a beach in Phuket. Look for a clear patch of sky free of tall buildings or trees, and let your eyes adjust for at least 20 minutes. In northern parts like Kathmandu or New Delhi, layer up to stay warm; in tropical zones, a light jacket might do.
Skywatchers with a camera can try long-exposure shots to capture multiple meteors in one frame—no fancy gear needed, just a tripod or steady surface and a wide-angle lens or smartphone in night mode.
After the Geminids, mark your calendars for the Quadrantid meteor shower peaking on the night of January 3 into the early hours of January 4, 2026. Until then, enjoy the cosmic fireworks! 🌠✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
