Baku: Dec. 4 marks the start of the annual Geminid meteor shower, as Earth passes through the trail of debris shed by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, triggering what promises to be one of the most remarkable shooting star displays of 2025, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the Geminid meteor shower is active from Dec. 4 to Dec. 20, reaching its peak overnight on Dec. 13-14. During this peak, observers may witness up to 150 meteors each hour illuminating the night sky under ideal conditions, as stated by the American Meteor Society. Meanwhile, NASA estimates a slightly lower rate, with 40 to 50 meteors visible per hour during the peak activity.

The phenomenon of shooting stars is caused by fragments of space debris, varying from the size of a grain of sand to that of a small asteroid, colliding with Earth at high speeds. As they enter the atmosphere, they burn up due to friction, creating a visible spectacle in the night sky.