Geminid meteor shower Australia: Everything you need to know to see celestial spectacle peak tonight in Perth

Known as one of the most reliable celestial spectacles of the year, the Geminid meteor shower is set to peak across Australia tonight and into the early hours of Monday morning, with skywatchers in for an incredible display of shooting stars.

Described as a “natural fireworks show”, the Geminid meteor showers could see the sky lit up with more than 100 meteors per hour — and with a thin crescent Moon expected, the sky will be particularly dark, creating near-ideal conditions for the show.

HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GEMINID METEOR SHOWER:

What is causing tonight’s Geminid meteor shower

The meteor shower occurs each December as Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon.

Best places to see Geminid meteor shower in Perth

Perth Observatory tour administrator Matt Woods says the best places to watch the shower are away from the city, where there is less light pollution. However, there are plenty of places around the Perth metropolitan area where viewers can see the meteors:

• South Ledge Lookout at Mundaring Weir
• Point Peron
• Rottnest Island
• Lake Leschenaultia

When you can see the Geminid meteor shower in each Australian state

The best time to watch the Geminid meteor shower is late on Sunday, December 14 and early on Monday, December 15 but the exact time varies for each state:

• Perth: 10pm – 5am
• Brisbane: 9pm – 5am
• Darwin: 9.30pm – 6.30am
• Sydney: 11pm – 6am
• Canberra: 11pm - 6am
• Adelaide: 11.30pm – 5.30am
• Melbourne: 12am – 6am
• Hobart: 12am – 5am

Important things to know before watching Geminid meteor shower

• Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the dark before the event is set to peak - so no looking at your phone!
• Head away from city lights to darker open sky for best viewing