Gemini (constellation) approximately 550 light-years from Earth. Other objects include NGC 2129, NGC 2158, NGC 2266, NGC 2331, NGC 2355, and NGC 2395. The Geminids are a bright meteor shower that peaks on December 13–14. It has a maximum rate of approximately 100 meteors per hour, making it one of the richest meteor showers. The Epsilon Geminids peak between October 18 and October 29 and have only been recently confirmed. They overlap with the Orionids, which make the Epsilon Geminids difficult to detect visually. Epsilon Geminid meteors have a higher velocity than Orionids. In Babylonian astronomy, the stars Castor and Pollux were
December Hydrids (December 4–15), and the Ursids (December 17-to December 25/26, peaking around December 22). "This list does not necessarily imply either official status or general observance." Last Week of November: November 25 – December 1 First Sunday: December 2 Fourth Sunday before Christmas Day: December 2 First Monday in December and following 7 days: December 3-9 First Friday: December 7 Sunday two weeks before Christmas: December 9 Second Monday: December 10 December 15, unless the date falls on a Sunday, then December 16: December 15 Second-final Sunday before Christmas Day: December 16 Thursday before Christmas: December 20 Winter Solstice: December