Geminid & Ursid meteor showers will grace the night sky in Singapore

As we wrap up 2025, the last celestial events of the year will take place with two more meteor showers expected to light up Singapore’s sky this December. Stargazers can look forward to the Geminid Meteor Shower on 13–14 December, followed by the Ursid Meteor Shower on 22–23 December. Both events offer a chance to see streaks of light from meteors burning through Earth’s atmosphere.

The Geminid Meteor Shower is one of the most impressive annual showers, peaking on 13–14 December. Unlike most meteor showers, the Geminids originate from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, and their meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini, giving the shower its name. Under ideal conditions, up to 120 meteors per hour can be seen, though city lights and cloud cover may limit visibility in Singapore. The best viewing time is around midnight in dark, open spaces such as parks, beaches, or reservoirs, with no special equipment needed.

The Ursid Meteor Shower is a smaller, low-key shower that peaks on the night of 21–22 December. This shower is linked to comet 8P/Tuttle, with meteors radiating from the constellation Ursa Minor. Observers may see 5–10 meteors per hour on average, though occasional bursts may produce more. The best viewing time is during pre-dawn hours in dark, open areas, and no equipment is required.

Meteor Shower - Pixabay Image credit: Pixabay

In anticipation of this phenomenon, Science Centre Observatory has put some FAQs, to address various questions on the phenomenon and share more about its origins.

1. What are meteors and where do they come from?

Meteors are rocks that enter Earth’s atmosphere at speeds that cause the gases around them to glow and burn up. These are the streaks of light that one may see going across the sky in a matter of seconds. They are also often referred to as “shooting stars”.

Meteors are within our solar system. They can originate from various sources – such as comets, asteroids, and other planets.

2. What is the difference between a meteor, a meteorite, and a meteoroid?

When a part of an asteroid breaks off and it is still in space, it becomes a meteoroid. When the meteoroid is in Earth’s atmosphere, it becomes a meteor.

If a part of the meteor survives its journey through the Earth’s atmosphere and lands on the Earth’s surface, it is called a meteorite.

3. What is a meteor shower and how often do they occur?

A meteor shower is a celestial event in which a number of meteors are observed to radiate, or come from, from one point in the night sky. Meteor showers are formed when the Earth travels through a cloud of interplanetary debris left behind from the tail of a comet or asteroid that has thrown out large amounts of materials.

While the Earth orbits the Sun and crosses into these dust streams or debris trails, the materials collide into Earth’s atmosphere and burn up, leaving a streak in the sky which is what we see as meteors.

Earth goes through these dust streaks every year, so we can predict when these meteor showers happen on an annual basis.

meteor shower shooting stars unsplash Image credit: Unsplash

Geminid Meteor Shower taking place 13 – 14 December

1. What is the Geminid Meteor Shower?

The Geminids meteor shower, which peaks during mid-December each year, is known as one of the most reliable and impressive annual showers. It’s often the strongest of the year, making December 13 and 14 must-watch dates for meteor enthusiasts. Unlike most meteor showers that come from comets, the Geminids are produced by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon.

2. Why is this meteor shower called Geminids?

They are called the Geminids because the point in the sky where the meteors seem to come from is in the constellation Gemini. Meteor showers are usually named after the constellation where this point is located.

3. When will the Geminid meteor shower take place?

The Geminid meteor shower is active from 4 – 20 December and will peak on 13 – 14 December. They are best viewed around 12 am, when the radiant point of the meteor shower is higher in the night sky, offering a better chance for observers to spot a meteor.

4. How often does the Geminid meteor shower take place?

The Geminid meteor shower is an annual meteor shower that peaks around mid-December.

5. What can we expect to see during the Geminid meteor shower?

At the peak of the Geminds, under ideal conditions with a dark moonless sky, observers may see up to 120 meteors per hour at its peak, though you will likely see fewer in our bright and cloudy city. The Geminids are often bright and intensely colored, but due to their medium-slow velocity, persistent trains are not usually seen.

6. How can I get the best view of this occurrence in Singapore?

Observers should seek darker locations such as parks, beaches, reservoirs, or open spaces away from city lights. Singapore’s weather conditions and frequent cloud cover can also affect visibility of this occurrence. As such, observers should also check the weather forecast for clear skies.

7. Is any special equipment required to view this?

No special equipment is required to view this meteor shower as the Geminids will be visible to the naked eye.

8. Will the Observatory at Science Centre Singapore hold a viewing session for the Draconids meteor shower?

The Observatory at Science Centre Singapore will not be holding a specific viewing session for this meteor shower. However, on selected Fridays, astronomy enthusiasts can take part in stargazing sessions held by The Observatory for a unique chance to explore the solar system and observe stars and planets up close through a telescope.

Ursid Meteor Shower taking place this 22-23 December

1. What is the Ursid Meteor Shower?

The Ursids are a low-key meteor shower that usually only appeal to dedicated sky watchers. They tend to peak around the solstice and are usually overlooked due to the holiday season.

2. Why is this meteor shower called Ursids?

The Ursid meteor shower gets its name because the meteors appear to come from the constellation Ursa Minor. This shower is linked to the comet 8P/Tuttle.

3. When will the Ursid meteor shower take place?

The Ursids meteor shower is active between 17 to 23 December, and is expected to peak on the night between 21 – 22 December. They are best viewed during pre-dawn hours, before sunrise.

4. How often does the Ursid meteor shower take place?

The Ursids meteor shower is an annual meteor shower that peaks in mid-December every year.

5. What can we expect to see during the Ursid meteor shower?

During the peak of the Ursid meteor shower, observers usually only see about 5 to 10 meteors per hour in the late morning, although there have been bursts when the rate has exceeded 25 meteors per hour.

6. How can I get the best view of this occurrence in Singapore?

7. Is any special equipment required to view this?

No special equipment is required to view this meteor shower as the Perseids Meteor Shower will be visible to the naked eye.

8. Will the Science Centre Observatory (SCOB) hold a viewing session for the Ursid meteor shower?

Learn more about these sessions here.

Contributed by Science Centre Observatory.

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