Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks Monday — How to Watch the 10–15 Meteors per Hour in Connecticut

Leonid meteor shower peaks Monday in Connecticut

NASA says this year’s Leonid meteor shower will reach its peak early Monday morning, bringing a light but rewarding display of roughly 10–15 meteors per hour.

For the best chance to see meteors, plan to watch after midnight on Nov. 18, with the shower’s highest activity occurring just before sunrise. No telescope or binoculars are needed—meteors are best seen with the naked eye.

Top viewing tips

• Find an elevated spot with minimal light pollution (away from streetlights and bright buildings).
• Allow at least 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark.
• Lie back or bring a reclining chair so you can scan a wide swath of sky; focus on areas where the moon casts distinct shadows (for example, along a row of trees or the side of a building) to make faint streaks easier to spot.
• Dress warmly—late fall nights can be chilly in Connecticut.

EarthSky reports the annual Leonid shower began on Nov. 3 and is expected to continue through Dec. 2, giving viewers multiple nights of possible sightings.

Local forecast

According to the National Weather Service, Monday will be mostly sunny with a high near 45°F and a west wind of 14–16 mph, gusting as high as 28 mph. Monday night is expected to be mostly clear with a low around 33°F, which should provide reasonably good viewing conditions if skies remain clear.

The Leonids’ peak follows roughly one week after the “Halloween fireballs” produced by the Northern Taurids and about two weeks after activity from the Southern Taurids brightened the skies.

With previous reporting from Staff Writer Nathaniel Rosenberg.