South Africans are in for a breathtaking celestial show this December, as the Geminid Meteor Shower, one of the most reliable and spectacular meteor displays on Earth, reaches its peak.
Astronomers consider the Geminids the best meteor shower of the year, and 2025 is shaping up to be an especially impressive viewing opportunity.
Here’s when to watch…
Geminid meteor shower to light up SA’s skies
The shower will peak overnight between 13 and 14 December 2025, when skywatchers could see 120–150 meteors per hour under ideal dark-sky conditions, according to We Are South Africans.
The meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini, which rises in the northeast around 21:00 to 22:00, meaning the show begins early and intensifies through the night, with the highest activity expected after midnight.
This year’s Geminids will also coincide with a near-new Moon, leaving the sky naturally dark: perfect for spotting even faint streaks.
Moonless Geminid peaks are rare, making 2025 one of the best viewing opportunities of the decade.
The Geminids also stand out because they don’t come from a comet, but from an unusual asteroid called 3200 Phaethon.
Because of this rocky origin, Geminid meteors tend to be brighter, slower-moving, and more colourful, often glowing yellow, green, or reddish as they burn through Earth’s atmosphere.
Viewing tips
For the clearest skies, South Africans should head to the country’s top stargazing regions, including:
- Karoo – widely regarded as one of the darkest-sky areas in the world
- Northern Cape, especially around Sutherland (home of SALT)
- The Drakensberg mountains, offering high-altitude clarity
- Cederberg and West Coast also offer excellent night skies
Even urban observers in cities like Johannesburg, Durban, or Cape Town will still catch the brightest fireballs, though the spectacle is far more dramatic away from light pollution.
- Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the darkness
- Dress warmly, December nights can still get chilly in inland regions
- Lie back or use a camping chair for full-sky viewing
- Expect activity to come in bursts, so plan for at least an hour outside
