Each year, the lovely, colourful Geminids meteor shower is visible from the 3rd to the 16th December 2021. The display reaches its peak in the UK during the early hours of 14th December, with multi-coloured shooting stars visible all over the sky. Big smiles and frozen fingers all-round!
From a dark sky location with no bright Moon, it can be one of the most spectacular and active showers of the year, up to 100 shooting stars may be visible at the peak in the right conditions.
The Geminids are visible from all over the Northern Hemisphere and are great for younger stargazers as they start at around 9 pm.
No equipment needed, just your eyes!
You don’t need any binoculars or telescope to see the Geminids – the naked eye is best.
Find a dark area, away from pesky streetlights and outdoor lighting. Take a blanket or lawn chair, sleeping bag and flask, and wrap up in extra layers. The truly dedicated may want a hot water bottle.
After about 15 – 20 minutes, your eyes will become adapted to the dark, and you’ll be able to spot even the faintest meteors — don’t be tempted to look at your phone!
Lie on your back with your feet facing south (your phone has a compass) and take in as much sky as possible. Be patient – gradually, you’ll start to see the meteors and their different-coloured trains. Then, whoosh! Did you spot that one? Ah, it was behind you; better luck next time!
What causes the Geminids meteor shower?
Meteors come from leftover debris from comets and asteroids. As they orbit the Sun, they leave a dusty trail. Each year, Earth passes through this debris. These tiny particles – about the size of a grain of sand – collide with our atmosphere at great speed.
The Geminids are the result of debris leftover from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which orbits the Sun every 524 days. As this debris enters Earth’s atmosphere, the friction causes the particles to light up and create fantastic trails across our sky — a shooting star!
Why is it called the Geminids meteor shower?
The Geminids appear to come from the constellation Gemini, the ‘Twins’, the part of the sky they can be traced back to is known as the ‘radiant. Don’t look at Gemini directly – the meteors can appear anywhere in the sky — the further away from the constellation, the longer their trails.
Geminids radiant is near the star Castor
And Gemini itself is not the source of the meteors – it’s the part of the sky the meteors appear to originate. So the Perseids shower comes from Perseus, Leonids come from Leo, and Orionids come from… well, can you guess where?
The Gemini constellation dances on the left shoulder of Orion, with their two bright ‘head’ stars called Castor and Pollux.
The colourful meteor display
We love the Geminids because they are nature’s fireworks – they contain the same chemicals that make fireworks colourful. So, if you had to cancel your fireworks display this year, now’s the chance to make up for it – white, yellow, green, red and blue-tinged meteors may be spotted!
Where are the best places to see the Geminids meteor shower in the UK?
The best places to see the Geminids can be found on our stargazing locations map.
Geminids meteor shower public stargazing events
Is there anything in your area? Find out here. Our events map is updated continuously on the run-up to the peak of the meteor shower, do check back regularly!
Geminids meteor event list
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Stargazing Weekend at Near Howe
Friday 10th December 2021 from 17:00pm to Monday 13th December 2021 10:00am
Near Howe, Penrith, CA11 0SH
More info
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Moon watch with Bishop Auckland Astronomical Society
Saturday 11th December 2021 from 17:30pm to 20:30pm
Byers Green Parish Hall, Spennymoor, DL16 7NX
More info
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Christmas Stars above Cresswell Crags – Astronomy Night
Saturday 11th December 2021 from 18:30pm to 21:30pm
Creswell Crags, Worksop, S80 3LH
More info
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Sherwood Observatory Public Open Evening
Saturday 11th December 2021 from 18:30pm to 23:00pm
Sherwood Observatory, Mansfield, NG17 5LF
More info
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East Essex Astronomy Club Meeting
Saturday 11th December 2021 from 18:45pm to 21:00pm
Burnham-on-Crouch Village Hall, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8EF
More info
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Newtown Astronomy Society meeting
Saturday 11th December 2021 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm
Newtown Catholic Church Crypt, Newtown, SY16 2BJ
More info
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Eastbourne Astronomical Society meeting
Saturday 11th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 22:00pm
Willingdon Memorial Hall, Willingdon, BN20 9HT
More info
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Flamsteed Observatory Open Evening
Saturday 11th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Flamsteed Observatory, Derby, DE6 3BY
More info
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Stargazing from Bath Abbey Tower with the Bath Astronomers
Sunday 12th December 2021 from 18:00pm to 21:00pm
Bath Abbey, Bath, BA1 1LT
More info
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Stargazing from Bath Abbey Tower with the Bath Astronomers
Monday 13th December 2021 from 18:00pm to 21:00pm
Bath Abbey, Bath, BA1 1LT
More info
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Geminids meteor shower at Little Seed Field
Monday 13th December 2021 from 19:00pm to 23:00pm
Little Seed Field Glamping, Ripon, HG4 3PU
More info
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Barry Astronomical Society meeting
Monday 13th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Barry Community Centre, Barry, CF62 5TR
More info
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Bradford Astronomical Society lecture evening
Monday 13th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm
Idle & Thackley Conservative Club, Idle, BD10 8QB
More info
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Hull and East Riding Astronomical Society meeting
Monday 13th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Cottingham Civic Hall, Cottingham, HU16 5QG
More info
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King’s Lynn & District Astronomy Society meeting and observing
Monday 13th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Tottenhill Village Hall, Tottenhill, PE33 0RS
More info
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See the Geminids at Stonehaugh Observatory
Monday 13th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Stonehaugh Stargazing Pavilion & Observatory, Hexham, NE48 3DZ
More info
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CADSAS lecture meeting (cancelled)
Monday 13th December 2021 from 20:00pm to 21:30pm
Cranbrook School Observatory, Cranbrook, TN17 3JD
More info
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Geminids meteor shower with Hastings Astronomy Club
Monday 13th December 2021 from 20:00pm to 23:00pm
North's Seat, Hastings, TN35 5EU
More info
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Jersey Astronomy Club Observatory Open Night
Monday 13th December 2021 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm
Sir Patrick Moore Astronomy Centre - Jersey, St. Brelade, JE3 8LN
More info
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West of London Astronomical Society meeting – Uxbridge
Monday 13th December 2021 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm
Christ Church Chapel - Uxbridge, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ
More info
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Dumfries Astronomy Society meeting
Tuesday 14th December 2021 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm
Lochvale House, Dumfries, DG1 4DF
More info
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LYRA meeting and talk (Christmas dinner!)
Tuesday 14th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm
Parkhill Hotel Coach House Room, Lowestoft, NR32 5DQ
More info
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Rosse Observatory open evening
Tuesday 14th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 22:30pm
Rosse Observatory, Pontefract, WF8 3RJ
More info
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Keele Observatory Public Open Evening
Tuesday 14th December 2021 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm
Keele Observatory, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 5BG
More info
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Stargazing and Pizza Night
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 18:00pm to 20:00pm
Wright's Care Farm Project, Kentisbury, EX31 4RT
More info
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Havering Astronomical Society meeting and observing
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:15pm to 21:00pm
Thames Chase Forest Centre, Upminster, RM14 3NS
More info
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Adur Astronomical Society observing group
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Clayton Church Hall, Clayton, BN6 9PJ
More info
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Bridgend Astronomical Society meeting
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Bridgend Tennis Club, Bridgend, CF31 3AZ
More info
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Crewkerne And District Astronomical Society meeting
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Norton-sub-Hambdon Village Hall, Norton-sub-Hambdon, TA14 6SF
More info
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Mid-Cheshire Astronomical Group meeting
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Norley Parish Centre, Norley, WA6 8NE
More info
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North Essex Astronomical Society meeting
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Henry Dixon Hall, Witham, CM8 3HR
More info
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Piazzi Smyth Observatory Open Evening
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm
Piazzi Smyth Observatory, Bedford, MK40 2LD
More info
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Salford Astronomical Society Annual Christmas Lecture
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Swinton Gateway, Swinton, M27 6BP
More info
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Salford Observatory open evening
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Salford Observatory, Chasely Fields, M6 7DZ
More info
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Stargazing at Brockholes
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston, PR5 0AG
More info
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Wadhurst and District Astronomical Society meeting
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 22:00pm
Uplands Community College, Wadhurst, TN5 6AZ
More info
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Worthing Astronomical Society monthly meeting
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm
Emmanuel United Reformed Church - Worthing, Worthing, BN11 4SD
More info
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Orpington Astronomical Society monthly meeting
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 19:45pm to 21:30pm
St Francis of Assisi Church Hall, Petts Wood, BR6 1QW
More info
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Castle Point Astronomy Club meeting
Wednesday 15th December 2021 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm
St Michael and All Angels Church, Hadleigh, SS7 2UW
More info
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Stargazing in Exford with Wild About Exmoor
Thursday 16th December 2021 from 18:00pm to 21:00pm
Exford Bridge Tea Rooms, Exford, TA24 7PY
More info
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Christmas Stargazing at Exford Bridge
Thursday 16th December 2021 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm
Exford Bridge Tea Rooms, Exford, TA24 7PY
More info
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South Shields Astronomical Society meeting
Thursday 16th December 2021 from 19:00pm to 20:00pm
South Tyneside College, South Shields, NE34 6ET
More info
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Andover Astronomical Society meeting
Thursday 16th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Grateley Village Hall, Andover, SP11
More info
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Isle of Wight Observatory public open night
Thursday 16th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 22:00pm
The Isle of Wight Observatory, Newchurch, PO36 0LX
More info
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Observing evening with Orpington Astronomical Society
Thursday 16th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 22:00pm
Otford Village Memorial Hall, Otford, TN14 5PQ
More info
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Torbay Astronomical Society meeting
Thursday 16th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Torquay Boys Grammar School & Observatory, Torquay, TQ2 7EL
More info
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Wakefield & District Astronomical Society meeting
Thursday 16th December 2021 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm
Henry Boons, Wakefield, WF2 9SR
More info
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Loughton Astronomical Society meeting & observing
Thursday 16th December 2021 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm
Theydon Bois Scout Hall, Epping, CM16 7EJ
More info
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Practical Astronomy with Nottingham Astronomical Society
Thursday 16th December 2021 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm
Burnside Hall - Plumtree, Nottingham, NG12 5ND
More info
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Heart of England Astronomical Society meeting
Thursday 16th December 2021 from 21:00pm to 23:00pm
The Old Telephone Exchange - Furnace End, Birmingham, B46 2LL
More info
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University of St Andrews Observatory Open Night
Thursday 16th December 2021 from 21:00pm to 22:00pm
St Andrews Observatory, St Andrews, KY16
More info
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Nominate an organisation to receive a telescope from Scopes4SEN
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