The Geminids (GEM) are active Dec 4 – Dec 20 and peak around December 14, 2026, with a zenithal hourly rate of about 150 under ideal skies. They come from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, hit the atmosphere at 35 km/s, and are best seen all night, best around 2 a.m.. The moon will be about 24% illuminated at the peak.
Peak
Dec 14
2026
ZHR
150
meteors/hour, ideal sky
Moon at peak
24%
Waxing Crescent
Radiant
RA 112°
Dec +33°
Geminids 2026: best time and expected rate by state
| State | Best time (local) | Radiant altitude | Est. rate/hour (dark sky) | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1:39 AM | 89° | 150 | 24% |
| Alaska | 2:51 AM | 64° | 135 | 25% |
| Arizona | 2:17 AM | 88° | 150 | 24% |
| Arkansas | 2:17 AM | 87° | 150 | 24% |
| California | 2:02 AM | 85° | 149 | 25% |
| Colorado | 2:05 AM | 84° | 149 | 24% |
| Connecticut | 1:47 AM | 81° | 148 | 23% |
| Delaware | 2:01 AM | 84° | 149 | 23% |
| District of Columbia | 2:08 AM | 84° | 149 | 24% |
| Florida | 2:28 AM | 86° | 150 | 24% |
| Georgia | 2:26 AM | 88° | 150 | 24% |
| Hawaii | 2:22 AM | 78° | 147 | 25% |
| Idaho | 2:32 AM | 79° | 147 | 24% |
| Illinois | 1:54 AM | 83° | 149 | 24% |
| Indiana | 2:45 AM | 83° | 149 | 24% |
| Iowa | 2:08 AM | 81° | 148 | 24% |
| Kansas | 2:27 AM | 84° | 149 | 24% |
| Kentucky | 2:39 AM | 85° | 149 | 24% |
| Louisiana | 2:03 AM | 87° | 150 | 24% |
| Maine | 1:29 AM | 78° | 147 | 23% |
| Maryland | 2:06 AM | 84° | 149 | 23% |
| Massachusetts | 1:39 AM | 81° | 148 | 23% |
| Michigan | 2:50 AM | 77° | 146 | 24% |
| Minnesota | 2:16 AM | 76° | 146 | 24% |
| Mississippi | 1:51 AM | 89° | 150 | 24% |
| Missouri | 2:09 AM | 85° | 149 | 24% |
| Montana | 2:36 AM | 75° | 145 | 24% |
| Nebraska | 2:36 AM | 81° | 148 | 24% |
| Nevada | 1:44 AM | 84° | 149 | 24% |
| New Hampshire | 1:39 AM | 79° | 147 | 23% |
| New Jersey | 1:56 AM | 83° | 149 | 23% |
| New Mexico | 1:57 AM | 87° | 150 | 24% |
| New York | 1:52 AM | 80° | 148 | 23% |
| North Carolina | 2:33 AM | 87° | 150 | 24% |
| North Dakota | 2:43 AM | 75° | 145 | 24% |
| Ohio | 2:28 AM | 83° | 149 | 24% |
| Oklahoma | 2:33 AM | 87° | 150 | 24% |
| Oregon | 2:01 AM | 79° | 147 | 25% |
| Pennsylvania | 2:04 AM | 82° | 149 | 23% |
| Rhode Island | 1:42 AM | 81° | 148 | 23% |
| South Carolina | 2:16 AM | 88° | 150 | 24% |
| South Dakota | 1:46 AM | 79° | 147 | 24% |
| Tennessee | 1:46 AM | 87° | 150 | 24% |
| Texas | 2:30 AM | 87° | 150 | 24% |
| Utah | 2:24 AM | 84° | 149 | 24% |
| Vermont | 1:43 AM | 79° | 147 | 23% |
| Virginia | 2:17 AM | 85° | 149 | 24% |
| Washington | 2:09 AM | 75° | 145 | 25% |
| West Virginia | 2:22 AM | 84° | 149 | 24% |
| Wisconsin | 1:48 AM | 78° | 147 | 24% |
| Wyoming | 2:15 AM | 79° | 147 | 24% |
Computed for each state's central location on the peak night. Rate = ZHR × sin(radiant altitude); light pollution and haze reduce it further.
How to photograph a meteor shower
- Use your widest fast lens (14–24 mm, f/1.4–2.8) and point it about 45–60° away from the radiant, where meteors leave longer trails.
- Shoot continuously with an intervalometer: 10–25 s exposures at ISO 1600–6400 for as long as the batteries last.
- Bright meteors are rare — expect a handful of keepers from hundreds of frames, then composite them.
- Dew forms quickly on clear nights; a lens heater band saves the session.
- Choose a dark location from the state pages below and arrive before astronomical dusk to set up.
FAQ
When do the Geminids peak in 2026?
Around December 14, 2026; activity runs Dec 4 – Dec 20.
What time is best to watch the Geminids?
All night, best around 2 a.m., when the radiant is highest and the sky is darkest.
Will the moon interfere with the Geminids in 2026?
The moon is about 24% lit at the peak. That is close to ideal.