December has closed out with a fantastic display from the Geminid meteor shower. Despite the cold weather here in the UK, the skies remained relatively clear, offering excellent viewing conditions.

Unlike most meteor showers that originate from comet dust, the Geminids are actually debris from an asteroid named 3200 Phaethon.

This often results in slower, brighter meteors that leave persistent, colourful trails. A short drive to a darker location and I counted a fair few distinct streaks. It is a wonderful, quiet way to reflect on another phenomenal year of astronomical discoveries, from new lunar landings to the very first light of the massive Vera Rubin Observatory.