Geminid Meteor Shower Watch Party
$15 Adult, $7 Kids/Seniors
FREE for Members
Get ready to light up the chilly December night with wonder at our Geminid Meteor Shower Watch Party! Under the vast winter sky, the Geminids will dazzle with their brilliant streaks of light, a celestial gift from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. As Earth sails through trails of cosmic dust, these meteoroids burn up in our atmosphere, painting the heavens with glowing magic.
Join us to view the Geminids Meteor Shower from our Observation Deck! Chabot is situated between two regional parks, making it an excellent place to view celestial events further away from the light pollution of the inner city. In-between viewing, warm up with a hot drink from SIPREME Hot Chocolate, and chat with Chabot volunteers about this awesome annual celestial event!
Bundle up, bring a blanket, and let the Geminids take center stage—no telescopes needed! With their radiant glow and breathtaking beauty, this meteor shower promises a night of celestial splendor you’ll never forget.
What are the Geminids?
The Geminids are a meteor shower that occurs in December every year. The best night to see the shower is Dec. 13 into the early hours of Dec. 14. The Geminid meteor shower is caused by a stream of debris left by the asteroid, 3200 Phaethon. When the Earth passes through the trails of dust every December left by 3200 Phaethon, we see the Geminid meteor shower as the dust (meteoroids) burn up in Earth’s atmosphere creating meteors.
Read more in this article our staff astronomer and exhibit designer Ben B. put together on Geminids last year: Geminids Meteor Shower to Light Up Bay Area Sky With 120 Meteors Per Hour | KQED
Ongoing Experiences
Viewing from the Observation Deck
Chabot is situated between two regional parks, making it an excellent place to view celestial events further away from the light pollution of the inner city.
Mini-Presentations with Chabot Volunteers
Learn more about the Geminids and how and why we’re able to observe meteor showers multiple times a year!
Hot Drinks
Hot chocolate!
In case of weather…
Viewing on the Observation Deck is weather permitting. In the case of heavy fog or rain, the event will be moved inside where there will be guest speakers, a simulated meteor shower experience in the Planetarium, hot chocolate, & special themed activities. In the case that we switch to the rain plan, the program will be condensed to 11pm – 1am, and ticketholders will be notified.
