If the recent northern lights over Oklahoma gave you goosebumps, you’re not alone. There’s something quietly powerful about watching the cosmos stage a performance above your neighborhood — and you don’t need a rare solar storm to see it.
The show tonight: Leonids (Nov. 16–17)
The Leonids meteor shower peaks Saturday night into Sunday morning, Nov. 16–17. These meteors are fast — roughly 44 miles per second — and although a major storm isn’t expected this year, the peak night and the dark moon (about 9% illuminated) create excellent viewing conditions. The Leonids remain active through Nov. 30, so you may spot stray meteors on other nights.
Quick viewing facts
- Peak night: Nov. 16–17 (midnight to just before dawn)
- Moon: ~9% illuminated — good, dark skies
- Where to look: Meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Leo, but can streak across any part of the sky
More meteor highlights this season
The Leonids are only the opening act. Two more reliable winter showers follow:
- Geminids — Dec. 13–14: Often the brightest, most consistent shower of the year. Under ideal dark skies the Global Meteor Network suggests observers could see meteors at rates approaching one every ~30 seconds during the peak.
- Ursids — Dec. 21–22: A smaller but pleasant shower (typically 5–10 meteors per hour) that can produce surprise outbursts. The moon will be about 3% illuminated at peak this year, offering near-perfect dark conditions.
Why meteor showers happen
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through streams of dust and small rocks left by comets or asteroids. These particles strike the atmosphere and burn up, creating the streaks we call meteors. The Leonids come from Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which returns to the inner solar system roughly every 33 years — next expected in 2031.
How to get the best view
You don’t need a telescope. In fact, binoculars and scopes narrow your view and make fast meteors easy to miss. Follow these tips to improve your night:
- Go dark: Drive to a rural site, state park or wide-open field away from city lights. Use a light-pollution map or website to pick a spot.
- Give your eyes time: It takes about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to darkness — avoid phone screens or use a red filter.
- Look up and stretch your view: Face east to south and slowly sweep the sky — meteors can appear anywhere.
- Dress warmly: Nights can get chilly, especially when you’re sitting still.
- Be patient: Peak windows run from midnight until dawn, but you’ll often catch meteors before and after the official peak.
- Track fireballs: For real-time monitoring of bright events, check resources such as Meteor Shower Flux Monitoring and the Global Meteor Network.
Get involved locally
Oklahoma has an active amateur astronomy community. Many libraries lend telescopes, and local clubs host public star parties where beginners are welcome:
- Oklahoma City Astronomy Club
- Tulsa Astronomy Club
Apps like SkySafari, Star Walk and Stellarium can help you identify constellations and track meteor activity in real time.
Final thoughts
The recent auroras and visible comets reminded many Oklahomans that extraordinary sky events can happen close to home. So bundle up, step outside and look up — let the night sky surprise you. Lie back on a blanket, let your eyes adjust, and enjoy a timeless show overhead.
Note: This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: "Leonids, December meteor showers start soon. How to watch in Oklahoma."
