Best places to see Geminid Meteor Shower as ‘natural fireworks show’ lights up Australian skies this weekend

Australia’s night sky is set to light up in a “natural fireworks show” this weekend, as the Geminid meteor shower is scheduled to spark up the dark across the country.

The Geminids, which are active every year in early and mid-December, are characterised by their colourful and radiant showers and will be visible nation-wide this weekend.

Where are the best places to watch the Geminid meteor shower in Sydney?

According to University of NSW senior lecturer Ben Montet, the best places to see the meteor shower in Sydney are:

• Headlands in the Northern Beaches and Eastern Suburbs
• Royal National Park
• Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

The best time to see the shower in Sydney is between 11pm on Sunday December 14, and 6am on Monday, December 15.

Where are the best places to watch the Geminid meteor shower in Brisbane?

University of Southern Queensland astrobiology professor Jonti Horner says the best place to view the meteor shower near Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast are:

• The Bunya Mountains in the Western Downs
• Maleny, less than 50 minutes from the Sunshine Coast

“The further out of town the better,” said Prof Horner.

The shower will be visible in Brisbane between 9pm on Sunday, December 14 and 5am on Monday, December 15.

What’s so special about the Geminid meteor shower?

Macquarie University associate professor in astrophysics Devika Kamath says the Geminids are one of the most “reliable” and “spectacular” meteor showers of the year, and are renowned for their rainbow tones lighting up the sky.

“Under dark skies, they can produce over 100 meteors per hour,” Prof Kamath said.

“Most meteor showers come from comets, but the Geminids are different: they come from an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon, [and] that rocky origin is thought to contribute to their bright, often colourful meteors, which can appear yellow, green or reddish.

“The meteors seem to radiate from the constellation Gemini, near the bright stars Castor and Pollux, which is why the shower is called the Geminids.”

Northern cities such as Darwin and Townsville will be a “little better placed” to see the meteors, as well as inland and rural locations, but city-dwellers won’t even need a telescope to see them, according to Professor Kamath.

“The best approach is simply to head somewhere as dark as you can, give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the night, dress warmly, lie back on a blanket or reclining chair, and keep your gaze on as much of the sky as possible,” she said.

“Face roughly north, a little to the north-east earlier in the night, but remember that Geminid meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, so try to keep a wide view rather than staring at one spot. If you can, head to a darker location away from bright streetlights — a park, oval, beach or headland with a clear northern horizon works well.

“Try not to look at your phone while you’re out there – even a quick glance at a bright screen will reset your night vision.”