The Leonid meteor shower peaks overnight on Nov. 16–17, 2025. With a thin 9% crescent moon in the predawn hours, skies should be dark enough to see roughly 10–15 meteors per hour and occasional bright fireballs. The Leonids arise from comet Tempel–Tuttle and strike the atmosphere at about 44 miles (71 km) per second. The Southern and Northern Taurids are also active, extending the chance to see additional meteors.
Leonids Peak Nov. 16–17, 2025: When and How to See Bright, Fast Shooting Stars
The Leonid meteor shower peaks overnight on Nov. 16–17, 2025. With a thin 9% crescent moon in the predawn hours, skies should be dark enough to see roughly 10–15 meteors per hour and occasional bright fireballs. The Leonids arise from comet Tempel–Tuttle and strike the atmosphere at about 44 miles (71 km) per second. The Southern and Northern Taurids are also active, extending the chance to see additional meteors.
08:06 PM, 11/14/2025Science
Leonid meteor shower peaks this weekend
The brilliant November Leonid meteor shower will peak late Sunday into the predawn hours of Monday, Nov. 16–17, 2025. With a waning crescent moon (about 9% illuminated) rising in the predawn hours, conditions should be unusually dark during the prime observing window. Expect roughly 10–15 meteors per hour during the peak, with occasional bright fireballs possible.
Other showers in the sky
The Leonid peak overlaps ongoing activity from the Southern and Northern Taurids. Both Taurid streams radiate from Taurus, near the star Aldebaran and the Pleiades cluster. The Southern Taurids peaked on Nov. 4–5 but remain active through Nov. 20; the Northern Taurids peaked Nov. 11–12 and continue until Dec. 10. The Leonids are active roughly Nov. 6–30.
What causes the Leonids?
Leonids originate from debris left by comet Tempel–Tuttle. Tiny particles, often no larger than grains of sand, burn up in Earth's atmosphere as meteoroids and produce the familiar "shooting stars." The Leonids are fast — entering the atmosphere at about 44 miles (≈71 kilometers) per second — which often makes their streaks bright and sometimes long-lasting.
Where and when to look
The Leonids appear to radiate from the constellation Leo but meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. For best results: find a dark, open location away from city lights, lie back or recline in a chair, and look toward the darker portion of the sky. The most favorable viewing hours are just after local midnight on Sunday night into the early morning of Monday, Nov. 17. Allow 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark.
Moon phases and seasonal notes
Relevant moon phases this season: Full Moon — Nov. 5; Last Quarter — Nov. 12; New Moon — Nov. 20; First Quarter — Nov. 28; Full Moon — Dec. 4, 2025. The small predawn crescent near the Leonid peak will help keep skies dark for better meteor visibility. The winter solstice arrives on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, marking the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Quick observing tips
- No telescope or binoculars needed — these can narrow your field of view; use your eyes to scan wide areas.
- Dress warmly and bring a blanket or reclining chair.
- Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to fully adapt to darkness; avoid looking at phones or bright lights.
- Look anywhere in the sky — meteors will trace back to Leo but often appear far from the radiant.
- If you want to photograph meteors, use a wide-angle lens, a tripod, and long exposures (20–30 seconds) with a high ISO.
About this article
This summary is adapted from reporting by Maria Francis (Erie Times-News) and consolidated with observational guidance from astronomy sources. The information here is intended for observers across the Northern Hemisphere, including the United States.