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The 2025 skywatching season is closing out with its biggest display of shooting stars. The Geminid meteor shower peaks this weekend and is known for producing more than 120 bright meteors an hour under ideal conditions.
Unlike many meteor showers, the Geminids are famous for their slow, colorful fireballs that cut cleanly across the sky. It is the one annual shower that reliably delivers both high numbers and brilliant streaks.
Arizona is one of the best places in the country to catch the show thanks to clear winter nights and wide stretches of dark desert sky. With the right timing and a little patience, even casual stargazers can spot dozens of meteors.
Here’s everything to know about when and where to see the Geminid meteor shower in Arizona this weekend.
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Is there a meteor shower tonight in Arizona?
Yes. The Geminid meteor shower is active right now and visible nightly in Arizona through mid-December. At its peak, more than 120 shooting stars per hour can streak across the sky under dark conditions.
What is the best time to see the Geminids tonight in Arizona?
The best time to watch the Geminids is after midnight through the pre-dawn hours when the sky is darkest and meteor activity is at its maximum.
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When will the Geminid meteor shower peak this month?
The 2025 Geminid meteor shower will peak during the night of Saturday, Dec. 13, into the early morning hours of Sunday, Dec. 14.
How many shooting stars per hour can the Geminids produce at peak?
More than 120 shooting stars per hour can blaze across the sky at the height of the Geminid meteor shower. That’s why it’s widely considered the biggest meteor shower of the year.
Where should I go in Arizona to watch the Geminids?
The best places to watch the Geminid meteor shower are far from city lights and heavy light pollution, where the sky is darkest. Good viewing spots include Buckeye, San Tan Valley, Cave Creek and Gold Canyon.
Which part of the sky should I look toward for Geminid meteors?
To see the Geminid meteor shower, skywatchers should look toward the northeast in the direction of Gemini. The constellation is the radiant point for the shower where the shooting stars appear to emanate from.
Paul Balfe/CC BY 2.0/Flickr (cropped)
Will moonlight interfere with Geminid viewing this year?
Not much. The moon will be a waning crescent during the 2025 Geminid peak, so moonlight should be low. Under dark skies, the brightest Geminid fireballs should still be easy to spot.
Do I need binoculars or a telescope to see the Geminids?
Nope. The Geminids are best seen with the naked eye, since meteors move too fast for binoculars or a telescope to follow. Just find a dark spot and let your eyes adjust for 15 minutes or longer.
Can I use an app to help see the Geminid meteor shower?
Yes. Popular stargazing apps on iOS and Android like SkySafari, Star Walk 2, Night Sky (iOS) and Google Sky Map can help. These apps use your phone’s GPS to show exactly where to look in the sky from your location.
Why are the Geminids brighter than most meteor showers?
Because they hit the atmosphere like cosmic rocks instead of dust. The Geminids meteors come from a rocky object called 3200 Phaethon, which means many of their meteors burn up bigger, slower and brighter, creating the luminous fireballs the shower is famous for.
How long will the Geminid meteor shower remain visible in Arizona?
The Geminids are active in Arizona from early December through about mid-December.
