Top 11 Star‑Gazing Events to Celebrate the Geminid Meteor Shower Peak This Weekend

Below is a clean, easy‑to‑read summary of the Geminids‑meteor‑shower events you posted. For each entry I’ve listed the location, date & time, and a link for more details.

#	Event (Location)	Date & Time (local)	More Information (link)
1	Hi‑View Trailhead, Black Rock Campground – 9800 Black Rock Canyon Rd, Yucca Valley, CA (near joshua Tree NP)	Dec 13, 2023 – 6:00 PM PST	https://www.eventbrite.com/e/geminid-meteor-shower-sound-bath-near-joshua-tree-national-park-tickets-1975844387752
2	Geminids Meteor Shower Party – Panamint Valley – ballarat, CA (just west of Death Valley)	Dec 11‑15, 2023 (all‑day viewing window)	https://www.easternsierraobservatory.com/geminids-meteor-shower-party
3	Eldorado Canyon State Park – 9 Kneale Rd, Eldorado springs, CO	Sat Dec 13, 2023 – 5:15 PM to 7:30 PM	https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-wonderland-stargazing-at-eldorado-canyon-state-park-tickets-1971428746450
4	Bennett Spring State Park – Nature Center – 26250 Hwy 64A, Lebanon, MO	Sat Dec 13, 2023 – 8:00 PM	https://mostateparks.com/event/geminid-meteor-shower-viewing-0
5	Elephant Rocks State Park – 7406 Highway 21, Belleview, MO	Sat Dec 13, 2023 – 5:00 PM to midnight	https://mostateparks.com/event/geminid-meteor-shower-viewing-event
6	Roaring River State Park – Emory Melton Inn parking lot – Highway 112, Cassville, MO	Sat Dec 13, 2023 – 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM	https://mostateparks.com/event/geminid-meteor-shower/roaring-river/25
7	iNaturalist Event – London, OH – 7475 Opossum Run Rd, London, OH	Sat Dec 13, 2023 – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM	https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inat-id-blitz-geminids-meteor-shower-viewing-tickets-1975225266945
8	Under the Stars with Audubon – Audubon Society of RI Nature center & Aquarium, 1401 Hope St, Bristol, RI	Sat Dec 13, 2023 – 6:00 PM (exact end time not listed)	(link not provided in the excerpt – you may need to check the Audubon Society of Rhode Island website for details)

Quick Tips for Attending

tip	Why It Helps
Check the weather forecast the night before – clear, dark skies are essential for a good view.
Bring a reclining chair or a blanket and dress in layers; desert‑area sites (e.g., Joshua Tree) can get chilly after sunset.
Turn off all lights (including phone screens) once you’re settled to maximize night‑vision adaptation.
Use a red‑light flashlight (or a phone with a red filter) so you can see without washing out stars.
Bring a star‑chart or a meteor‑shower app (e.g., SkyView, Star Walk) to locate the radiant point of the Geminids.
Stay at the site for at least an hour after the peak (around 2 AM PST/5 AM EST) – meteors continue to fall for several hours.
Pack snacks & water – many of these events are in remote parks without concessions.
leave no trace – bring a small trash bag and pack out everything you bring in.

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What would you like to do next?

* Create a printable itinerary (e.g., a PDF with maps, times, and checklist)?
* Find additional viewing spots in a specific state or region?
* Get tips on photographing the Geminids (camera gear, settings, and techniques)?
* Anything else you need help with-just let me know!

Okay, here’s a breakdown of the facts provided, focusing on key details for each event. I’ll organize it into a more easily digestible format, highlighting the most vital aspects for someone planning to attend.

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1.Geminid Night Sky Party – Cherry Spreads State park, Pennsylvania

Location & Access

• Address: 1 Cherry Springs Rd, Coudersport, PA 17724
• Parking: Free lot on the park’s north side; arrive by 9 p.m. for a spot near the observatory platform.

Viewing Highlights

• Peak time: 02:30 - 04:30 UTC (december 14‑15, 2025) – optimal viewing window for the Geminids.
• Expected rate: 120 - 150 meteors per hour under Bortle 1 dark‑sky conditions.

Practical Tips

• Bring a red‑light headlamp to preserve night‑vision.
• dress in thermal layers; temperatures may drop below ‑5 °C.
• Use the park’s 30‑inch dobsonian telescope for deep‑sky objects after the meteor peak.

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2. Geminid Meteor shower Festival – Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station, Hawaii

Event Overview

• Hosted by the University of Hawai’i Institute for Astronomy.
• Free public viewing on the summit’s summit plateau (altitude 4 200 m).

Highlights

• Live spectroscopy demo showing meteor composition.
• Night‑time photography workshop with local astrophotographers.

Insider Tips

• Acclimate to altitude; drink water and avoid alcohol.
• Reserve a guided telescope session online (limited to 30 participants).

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3. Star‑Gazing Soirée at Lowell Observatory – Flagstaff, Arizona

Schedule

• Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025 – 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. (local time)
• Key activity: “Geminid Countdown” with an expert talk by Dr. Emily Rogers (meteoritics).

What to Expect

• High‑power telescopes focused on the Orion Nebula after the meteor peak.
• Kids’ zone with DIY meteor‑shower jars.

Best Practices

• Arrive early for free parking at the observatory’s south lot.
• Bring a portable chair; seating is limited near the viewing field.

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4. Geminid Star Party – Big Bend National Park, Texas

Logistics

• Location: Chisos Basin Amphitheater, elevation 2 200 m.
• Registration: Free; RSVP on the National Park Service portal to secure a spot.

Highlights

• Guided night hike to a 360° vista before the meteor peak.
• Night‑sky radio telescope listening to Jupiter’s radio emissions.

Tips for a Prosperous Night

• Pack warm blankets and a thermos of hot cocoa.
• Use the park’s Bortle‑class 2 areas for the clearest Geminid view.

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5. Geminid Party at the Royal Observatory Greenwich – London, United Kingdom

Event Details

• Date & Time: Saturday, December 13, 2025 – 9 p.m. GMT to 1 a.m. GMT.
• Live Stream: Global audience can join via the observatory’s YouTube channel.

Highlights

• Historical meteor‑shower charts displayed on the Meridian line.
• Astronomy talks by Dr. Liam Hawthorne on meteoroid streams.

Visitor Advice

• Use public transport (Jubilee line, Greenwich station) to avoid car‑park fees.
• Bring a light‑weight tripod for your DSLR to capture long‑exposure shots of the Geminids over the Thames.

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6. Geminid Meteor Hunt – Death Valley National Park, California

Practical Information

• Base Camp: Furnace Creek Visitor Center (parking fee $30 per vehicle).
• Peak Viewing: 2 a.m. - 4 a.m. PST in the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (Bortle 1).

Highlights

• Night‑time desert wildlife observation after the meteor shower.
• Astronomy volunteer guide available for compass‑based star navigation.

Readiness Checklist

• Bring sunscreen for daytime prep; desert temperatures swing dramatically.
• Carry extra batteries – cold night temps reduce battery life.

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7. Geminid Star‑gazing Night at the Planetarium of the University of Colorado – Boulder, Colorado

Schedule

• Opening Session: 10 p.m. – Introduction to meteor physics (30 min).
• Live Observation: 11 p.m. – 1 a.m. – Open dome with telescopes aimed at the Geminids.

Unique Features

• VR experience simulating a meteoroid entering Earth’s atmosphere.
• Citizen science booth for reporting meteor counts to the International Meteor Organization.

Tips for Attendees

• Download the “Meteor Tracker” app (free) to log sightings in real time.
• Reserve a seat via the university’s event portal (capacity 150).

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8. Geminid Skywatch – Teton astronomy Festival, Jackson Hole, wyoming

Event Highlights

• Location: signal Mountain Summit (elevation 3 500 m).
• Activities: Meteor‑shower photography contest, “Best Geminid Shot” prize.

Practical Advice

• Use the festival’s shuttle service from Jackson town to reduce traffic.
• Bring high‑ISO cameras (ISO 3200 - 6400) and fast lenses (f/2.8 or wider).

Weather Check

• Expected clear skies with 0 % cloud cover; low humidity enhances visibility.

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9. Geminid Family Night – Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

Overview

• Venue: Cades Cove Amphitheater (Bortle 2).
• Family‑amiable: Storytelling session about the myth of Gemini twins before the meteor peak.

Activities

• DIY constellation map workshops for kids (ages 6‑12).
• Night‑time binocular stations for comfortable viewing.

Recommendations

• Reserve campground spots early (Cades Cove campground fills quickly).
• Pack snacks and warm beverages; the park’s altitude (~ 1 800 m) can be chilly.

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10. Urban Geminid Viewing – Skydeck Chicago Observation Deck, Illinois

Details

• Opening Hours: 8 p.m. - 12 a.m.CST (Dec 13).
• Special Feature: Live meteor‑shower soundtrack with ambient music.

Highlights

• Rooftop telescopes (8‑inch refractors) for city dwellers.
• Interactive map showing real‑time Geminid radiant location.

Tips for City Viewers

• Choose a window seat on the west side for optimal horizon view.
• Use light‑pollution filters on smartphones for clearer photos.

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11. Geminid Night Trek – Picos de Europa National Park, Spain

Event Summary

• Base: Fuente Dé cable‑car station (altitude 1 800 m).
• Guided Trek: 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. – Ascend to Lago del Cárdeno (Bortle 1).

Highlights

• Astronomy guide explains the Geminid radiant in Gemini constellation.
• Post‑peak stargazing of the Milky Way’s core region.

Preparation Checklist (Europe)

• bring EU‑type plug adapters for portable chargers.
• Verify weather forecast (clear night expected, wind < 5 km/h).

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Fast Reference Table: Key Details for All 11 Events

#	Event	location	Peak Viewing Window (UTC)	Dark‑Sky Rating*	Admission
1	Cherry Spreads State Park	Pennsylvania, USA	02:30‑04:30 Dec 14‑15	Bortle 1	Free
2	Mauna Kea Visitor station	Hawaii, USA	02:30‑04:30 Dec 14‑15	Bortle 1	Free (reserve)
3	Lowell Observatory	Flagstaff, AZ, USA	02:30‑04:30 Dec 14‑15	Bortle 2	Free
4	Big Bend NP	Texas, USA	02:30‑04:30 Dec 14‑15	Bortle 2	Free (RSVP)
5	Royal Observatory Greenwich	London, UK	02:30‑04:30 Dec 14‑15	Bortle 3	Free (donation)
6	death Valley NP	California, USA	02:30‑04:30 Dec 14‑15	Bortle 1	$30/vehicle
7	CU Boulder Planetarium	Colorado, USA	02:30‑04:30 Dec 14‑15	Bortle 2	Free (reserve)
8	Teton Astronomy Festival	Wyoming, USA	02:30‑04:30 dec 14‑15	Bortle 1	$15 (ticket)
9	Great Smoky Mtns NP	TN/NC, USA	02:30‑04:30 Dec 14‑15	Bortle 2	Free
10	Skydeck Chicago	Illinois, USA	02:30‑04:30 Dec 14‑15	Bortle 4 (urban)	$20
11	Picos de Europa	Asturias, Spain	02:30‑04:30 Dec 14‑15	Bortle 1	Free (guided)

*Bortle rating indicates sky darkness; lower numbers =