By the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam
Bandar Seri Begawan – Despite challenging weather conditions, a group of fourteen members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) successfully conducted naked-eye observations of the annual Geminids Meteor Shower in the early hours of Sunday, 14 December 2025 at Kampong Sungai Mau, Belait.
The event, known as the “Geminids AstroCamp”, was held from 12:30 AM to 2:30 AM, during which members gathered to witness the celestial display and capture it through photography. Based on observations documented by the team, approximately 50 Geminid meteors were sighted, including several striking fireballs, despite limited visibility.
One participant, Muhammad Hidayatullah bin Awang Ahmad shared: “It was a challenging night for viewing, with nearly 80% cloud cover and overcast skies for most of the session. Nevertheless, the meteors we managed to observe, particularly the brighter fireballs, made the effort worthwhile.”
Despite cloudy skies, PABD member Mohamad Nur Raziqqien bin Abu Bakar captured a vivid Geminid meteor streaking across the prominent Orion constellation, which lies right next to Gemini – the radiant of the meteor shower.
The Geminids are widely regarded as one of the most reliable and spectacular annual meteor showers, originating from asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This year’s observation coincided with the shower’s peak between the nights of 13 and 14 December 2025. Under ideal conditions, the Geminids can produce as many as 120 meteors per hour (ZHR), making them a highlight of the astronomical calendar.
Meteor showers take place when the Earth, in its yearly orbit around the Sun, crosses paths with streams of cosmic debris released by comets or asteroids. These tiny fragments, often no larger than grains of sand, enter the atmosphere at tremendous speeds and incandesce due to friction with air molecules, creating the luminous streaks commonly referred to as “shooting stars.”
PABD thanked the Bukit Sawat Village Consultative Council (Majlis Perundingan Kampung Bukit Sawat) for their invaluable support in facilitating the AstroCamp.
