Where to see the Geminid meteor shower in 2018

The annual Geminid meteor shower takes place from 4th December to the 16th December with peak activity on the evening of the 13th December through to the morning of 14th December. This particular meteor shower is well known for putting on a good show compared to others with the potential of seeing up to 120 meteors per hour. The best time to spot them is during the early morning hours on the 14th December from midnight through to dawn.

Meteor showers occur as the Earth travels around the Sun when it passes through large clouds of dust left over by the tails of comets or debris from asteroids. Meteors, also known as shooting stars, are tiny dust particles no bigger than a grain of rice that disintegrate through friction as they enter Earth’s atmosphere. This process causes the energy of the dust particles (in the form of mass) to be converted into heat and light causing them to glow brightly as they streak across the sky.

Named after the constellation Gemini from which the meteors appear to radiate the Geminids are a product of debris left over from asteroid “3200 Phaethon”. Geminids are renowned for their bright display and sometimes appear as green flashes due to the material they are made up of.

This year the peak of activity takes place when the moon has already set so the skies will be nice and dark for meteor spotting. It’s well worth planning ahead finding a suitable dark sky location to observe from.

Hours of darkness on 13th December –

The best places to see them will be somewhere away from our light polluted towns at a location that has a wide open expanse of skies free of obstructions on the horizons. Rather than staring at any single point use your peripheral vision to scan as much of the sky as possible and your eyes will be automatically drawn to any shooting stars. As always wherever you choose to go first tell someone where you are going, wrap up warm, take some hot drinks and be patient!

We hope you have found this little guide useful! Good luck spotting them!

Clear skies!

Public stargazing events 11th December – 16th December

Bellingham Dark Sky Starcamp - Winter 2018

Bellingham Camp & Caravan Club Site, Hexham, NE48 2HR

See stars you never thought were there plus shooting stars galoreJoin us for a weekend of stargazing  within the newest and largest Gold Tier Dark Skies park in Europe.  The weekend will include talks given by the Starmakers Stargazing Events...

Friday 14th December 2018 from 16:00pm to Sunday 16th December 2018 12:00pm

15/12/18

18:00

0°

93%

Observing on Blackheath Common

Blackheath Common, London, SE3 0TX

Members of the public are invited to join astronomers from Flamsteed Astronomical Society for an evening of observing on Blackheath Common. The meet-up point is just to the North of Talbot Place with free parking after 6:30pm. Note that these events...

Friday 14th December 2018 from 19:30pm to Saturday 15th December 2018 23:00pm

15/12/18

18:00

4°

96%

Mills Observatory Science Saturday

Mills Observatory, Dundee, DD2 2UB

Visit the Mills Observatory on a Saturday afternoon and enjoy a range of astronomical related activities with the assistance of volunteers from Dundee University. Attendance is free of charge.On selected Saturdays you can also enjoy an...

Tonight from 12:30

15/12/18

18:00

2°

96%

Keele Observatory Solar Observing

Keele Observatory, Stoke-on-Trent, ST5 5BG

Every Saturday afternoon the Keele Observatory is open to the public for solar observing. See our closest star like you may never have done before! The observatory is open no matter the weather with a short tour of the facility and a chance to chat...

Tonight from 13:00

15/12/18

18:00

2°

95%

Public Observing on Eastbourne Seafront

The Western Lawns - Eastbourne Seafront, Eastbourne, BN21 4EE

Everyone is invited to join members of Eastbourne Astronomical Society for this free public observing event at the Western Lawns on Eastbourne Seafront. There will be a variety of telescopes to look through and you are welcome to bring along your...

Tonight from 17:00

15/12/18

18:00

6°

98%

Moonwatch with Eddington Astronomical Society

Brewery Arts Centre - Kendal, Kendal, LA9 4HE

Join members from Eddington Astronomical Society for this free "moon-gazing" event at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal.

Tonight from 18:00

15/12/18

18:00

1°

94%

Stargazing at Great Notley Country Park

Great Notley Country Park, Braintree, CM77 7FS

Join members of North Essex Astronomical Society who will have their telescopes setup for observing this evening as long as the weather allows! Bring your own telescope along for expert help. Event is free however parking charges apply. Check...

Tonight from 18:00

15/12/18

18:00

1°

98%

Stargazing Saturdays with COSMOS

Island Hall & Reading Room - Isles of Scilly, St Martins, TR25 0QN

Over the winter months the group behind the Community Observatory St Martins on Scilly run regular Stargazing Saturday events from their dark sky location at the Island Hall on St Martins, unless the weather is terrible! Everyone is welcome to join...

Tonight from 18:00

15/12/18

18:00

11°

33%

Comet Watch with Lincoln Astronomical Society

Lincoln Observatory, Lincoln, LN1 3TZ

The members of Lincoln Astronomical Society will be opening their observatory for viewing comet 46P/Wirtanen on the evenings of 14th and 15th December. Visitors are very welcome to join them!

Tonight from 18:30

15/12/18

18:00

1°

98%

East Essex Astronomy Club Meeting

Burnham-on-Crouch Baptist Hall, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8AS

Join the members of East Essex Astronomy Club for their monthly meeting with observing afterwards if clear.

Tonight from 18:30

15/12/18

18:00

3°

98%

Stargazing at Abberton Reservoir

Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre, Colchester, CO2 0EU

Organised by the Essex Wildlife Trust and North Essex Astronomical Society this is a fantastic opportunity to get away from the city lights and go stargazing! Look through large telescopes, listen to one of the interesting astronomical talks given,...

Tonight from 18:30

15/12/18

18:00

2°

98%

Comet Watch at Beetle Bank

Beetle Bank Farm, Murton, YO19 5XD

Observe the comet 46P/Wirtanen as it reaches its closest approach with Earth along with members of The York Astronomical Society at their favoured stargazing location Beetle Bank Farm. Expectations of this comet are high with anticipation that it...

Tonight from 19:00

15/12/18

18:00

1°

96%

East Lincolnshire Astronomy Club Meeting

Scamblesby Village Hall, Scamblesby, LN11 9XF

Everyone is invited to join the members of the East Lincolnshire Astronomy Club for this one of their regular club meetings held on the third Saturday of every month. The event will often include a talk by a guest speaker and always include...

Tonight from 19:00

15/12/18

18:00

1°

97%

Failand Observatory Public Open Night

Failand Observatory, Near Wraxall, BS8 3US

Members of Bristol Astronomical Society open their Failand observatory to the public on most clear Saturday nights if the weather forecast allows for observing... A notice will be shown on the Bristol Astronomical Society website on the evening to...

Tonight from 19:00

15/12/18

18:00

9°

56%

Free Comet Spotting at Silbyback Lake

Silbyback Lake Activity Centre - Bodmin Moor, Liskeard, PL14 6ER

14/12/18 18:35 we've been notified that this event has been cancelled due to poor weather forecast.You are invited to attend Caradon Observatory's next free outreach event on Saturday 15th December at Siblyback Lake. It will be a purely...

Tonight from 19:00

15/12/18

18:00

8°

11%

Moonwatch With Durham Astro

Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 6PU

Join members of Durham Astronomical Society for this public stargazing event. See the moon in stunning detail through telescopes and enjoy a tour of the night skies from this welcoming and friendly group of amateur astronomers. Ideal for children...

Tonight from 19:00

15/12/18

18:00

1°

94%

Stargazing and Astrophotography in Brecon

Brecon - Libanus Mountain Centre, Brecon, LD3 8ER

Stargazing in the Brecon Beacons with your very own astronomer for the evening in one of the world’s few Dark Sky areas! Take a tour of the night sky, viewing familiar and unfamiliar constellations of the northern hemisphere, find various deep sky...

Tonight from 19:00

15/12/18

18:00

7°

59%

Stargazing Live with Sheffield Astronomical Society

Sportsman Inn at Lodge Moor, Sheffield, S10 5NF

Each month from September through to March Sheffield Astronomical Society host a "Stargazing Live" event. These events are open to everyone and offer a great opportunity to look through telescopes and observe a variety of objects. Astronomers will...

Tonight from 19:00

15/12/18

18:00

-1°

96%

Norman Lockyer Observatory Open Evening

Norman Lockyer Observatory, Sidmouth, EX10 0NY

Learn about the history of the telescopes at the Norman Lockyer Observatory including a short talk, planetarium presentation, tour of the technology centre and observing if clear. Entrance fee applies, no need to pre-book.

Tonight from 19:15

15/12/18

18:00

11°

4%

Public Open Evening at Clanfield Observatory

Clanfield Observatory, Clanfield, PO8

Join the members of Hampshire Astronomical Group at their Clanfield Observatory for this one of their regular public open evenings. The event includes a tour of the facilities and looking through their large telescopes if weather permits. These...

Tonight from 19:15

15/12/18

18:00

8°

98%

Flamsteed Observatory Open Evening

Flamsteed Observatory, Derby, DE6 3BY

Join members of Derby & District Astronomical Society for their monthly public observing session at their Flamsteed Observatory located within easy travel distance north-west from Derby. Events are weather dependent -- please check with event...

Tonight from 19:30

15/12/18

18:00

1°

97%

Geminids Winter Star Party - Yorkshire Dales

Keld Resource Centre, Richmond, DL11 6LJ

See the often spectacular Geminids meteor shower from the amazing dark village of Keld in Upper Swaledale with expert astronomer Richard Darn. The event takes place just a few days after the meteor shower reaches it's peak and a first quarter moon...

Tonight from 19:30

15/12/18

18:00

-2°

95%

Kenley Observatory Open Night

Kenley Observatory, Kenley, CR8 5EP

Members of Croydon Astronomical Society open the doors of their Kenley Observatory to the public every Saturday evening from Autumn through to early Summer. Events are subject to good weather conditions and varied start times therefore please check...

Tonight from 19:30

15/12/18

18:00

3°

98%

Seething Observatory Public Open Night

Seething Observatory, Thwaite, NR35 2EQ

Throughout the year astronomers from Norwich Astronomical Society hold regular public open nights at their observatory in Seething. It's a great opportunity to escape from the city lights and view the starry skies from this dark sky location. Enjoy...

Tonight from 19:30

15/12/18

18:00

2°

97%

Stargazing Saturday at the Astronomy Centre

The Astronomy Centre, Near Todmorden, OL14 7HP

Every Saturday night (weather permitting) the Astronomy Centre opens its observatory doors to the public for an evening of stargazing. This is perhaps the best equipped observatory in the UK hosting a wide range of large aperture telescopes. Please...

Tonight from 19:30

15/12/18

18:00

1°

98%

Magical Moon Watch

The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre, Hexham, NE47 7AN

Spend an evening at The Sill observing the majesty of the moon. If cloudy our astronomer will present a fascinating talk about our amazing moon and its effect on Earth and upon us. Weather permitting, telescopes and binoculars will be available...

Tonight from 20:00

15/12/18

18:00

-1°

93%

Stargazing at the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory

Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, Dalmellington, KA6 7PZ

Amaze at the wonderfully dark skies above Galloway, see the Milky Way arching overhead and observe through large aperture instruments with the assistance of experienced resident and volunteer Astronomers. Events take place most weekday and weekend...

Tonight from 20:00

15/12/18

18:00

1°

95%

Public Observing at Cygnus Observatory

Cygnus Observatory, Washington, NE38 8LE

Members of the public are invited to join enthusiastic members of Sunderland Astronomical Society for an evening of stargazing and observing through their large aperture telescopes. If you need assistance with your own telescope you are welcome to...

Sunday 16th December 2018 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

16/12/18

18:00

4°

47%

Public Open Evening at Clanfield Observatory

Clanfield Observatory, Clanfield, PO8

Join the members of Hampshire Astronomical Group at their Clanfield Observatory for this one of their regular public open evenings. The event includes a tour of the facilities and looking through their large telescopes if weather permits. These...

Sunday 16th December 2018 from 19:15pm to 21:30pm

16/12/18

18:00

7°

87%

Public Observing at Bruce Observatory

Bruce Observatory - Whitby School, Whitby, YO21 1LA

Everyone is invited to join astronomers from Whitby & District Astronomical Society for this one of their regular Sunday evening public observing sessions at the Bruce Observatory.  These events are subject to favourable weather conditions and...

Sunday 16th December 2018 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

16/12/18

18:00

5°

15%