Geminid Meteor Shower 2024: Moonlight Cuts 120 Meteors to Just 15 Per Hour

Geminid meteor shower peaks December 14-15, 2024, producing up to 120 meteors per hour under optimal conditions.

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Skywatchers face challenges as nearly full moon reduces meteor visibility to approximately 15 per hour in most locations.

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Unlike typical meteor showers originating from comets, Geminids spring from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, discovered in 1983.

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Geminid meteors stand out with distinctive yellow streaks across the night sky, contrasting common white meteor trails.

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NASA recommends viewing before dawn Saturday from dark locations away from city lights, allowing 30 minutes for eye adjustment.

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Weather forecasts predict challenging viewing conditions across Western Washington with blustery winds and quarter-inch rainfall expected.

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Meteor shower starts around 9-10 PM, with best viewing during night and pre-dawn hours.

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Asteroid 3200 Phaethon orbits Sun every 1.4 years, behaving like unusual "rock comet" while shedding debris.

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December 2025 promises better viewing conditions compared to 2024's moon-washed display, according to NASA Meteoroid Office expert Bill Cooke.

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NASA Delays Artemis Moon Missions to 2026 and 2027

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