Geminid Meteor Shower: How and Where to Catch a Glimpse of the “Intense” Meteor Storm Over the UK

The Geminid meteor shower is one of the densest meteor showers visible in the UK.

Hundreds of falling meteors lit up the night sky again across parts of England, marking one of the last major meteor showers of the year.

The Geminid shower was visible in the early hours of Saturday morning, with streaks of light spotted from Northumberland to Somerset.

Stunning photos captured by stargazing enthusiasts showcased the beautiful celestial display. The shower is set to return to the UK skies from Saturday night into Sunday, continuing until December 20.

This meteor shower, one of the most active this year, is currently at its peak. Stargazers are seizing the chance to see dozens of meteors in just a few hours.

Photographer Lee Reed drove an hour from his home in Newcastle to Lindisfarne in Northumberland, where clear skies offered him a view of the shower. Mr. Reed said, “I was already spotting meteors while driving, which made me really excited. Lindisfarne seems to be my lucky spot… The clouds were behind me, but a large part of the sky in the northeast around 5:30 AM was clear.

“It’s amazing because when you plan things for a few days, hoping and praying for clear skies, it’s so satisfying when it all works out.”

What Makes the Geminid Meteor Shower Special?
The Geminids, often called a “meteor storm” due to their intensity, are considered one of the “most spectacular meteor showers of the year,” according to Dr. Mingjie Kim, a physics researcher at Warwick University.

Unlike most meteor showers, which originate from comets, the Geminids and the Quadrantids are unique as they come from asteroid debris. The Royal Greenwich Museum explains that the “shooting stars” you see are caused by tiny particles from an asteroid, often no larger than a grain of sand.

How to Watch the Geminid Meteor Shower
The Geminids are known to produce more than 150 meteors per hour at their peak, according to the Royal Greenwich Museum. However, the actual number visible is usually lower.

This year, the full moon during the peak on December 14–15 makes viewing conditions less ideal.

Still, this remains the best chance to catch a meteor shower all year. The museum recommends bringing a comfortable chair and wearing warm clothes, as watching meteors is a “waiting game.” Binoculars or telescopes aren’t necessary since meteors can be seen with the naked eye.

To improve your chances:

• Avoid looking at the moon or stars directly. Focus instead on the darkest parts of the sky.
• Minimize light pollution by avoiding streetlights, car headlights, or house lights.
• Choose a wide, open space with the best possible view of the sky.
• Be patient, and give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness.
• Although meteors are visible across the night sky, they often seem to originate from the Gemini constellation.

So, find a wide, open area, settle in, and wait for the night sky to put on its show.