Geminid Meteor Shower Night

December 13, 2025

In December, the Geminids provide an impressive natural spectacle, transforming the night sky into a sparkling sea of shooting stars.

Every year between December 7 and 17, the meteor shower streaks across the sky, reaching its peak on the night of December 13 to 14. Under ideal conditions, up to 150 shooting stars per hour are visible. That's even more than the popular Perseids in summer. The Geminids are known for their bright, clear trails. They are created when tiny particles from the asteroid Phaethon enter the Earth's atmosphere at around 35 kilometers per second and burn up. This year, the chances are particularly good because the waning moon will hardly interfere with observation.

When is the best time to watch for Geminids?

The most promising hours are between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Even in brighter urban areas, the more intense meteors are clearly visible, although darker locations still offer better visibility. All you need for an unforgettable shooting star experience is a clear, cloudless night sky.

Shooting star night at Berlin's observatories

This natural spectacle is also a highlight for Berlin's planetariums. The night of shooting stars can be experienced at the Archenhold Observatory and the Wilhelm Foerster Observatory under expert guidance.