The Leonid meteor shower, caused by debris from Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, peaks overnight on Nov. 16–17 and remains active through about Dec. 3, 2025. Best viewing is after midnight into pre-dawn when Leo rises and the thin crescent moon (new moon Nov. 20) keeps skies dark. No telescope is required — find a dark spot, allow 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adjust, and scan the whole sky for up to a dozen meteors per hour under ideal conditions. The next major shower is the Geminids on Dec. 13–14.
How to See the Shimmering Leonid Meteor Shower — Peak Nov. 16–17 (Viewing Tips)
The Leonid meteor shower, caused by debris from Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, peaks overnight on Nov. 16–17 and remains active through about Dec. 3, 2025. Best viewing is after midnight into pre-dawn when Leo rises and the thin crescent moon (new moon Nov. 20) keeps skies dark. No telescope is required — find a dark spot, allow 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adjust, and scan the whole sky for up to a dozen meteors per hour under ideal conditions. The next major shower is the Geminids on Dec. 13–14.
08:53 AM, 11/16/2025Science
How to See the Shimmering Leonid Meteor Shower
The night sky is about to stage a glittering show. Every November the Leonid meteor shower lights up the heavens as Earth passes through the dusty trail of Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. These tiny fragments slam into our atmosphere at roughly 71 km/s (about 44 miles per second), burning up in bright, often colorful streaks.
When to watch
The Leonids are active from early November through about Dec. 3, 2025, with the expected peak overnight on Nov. 16 into the early hours of Nov. 17. The shower has been active since Nov. 3. This year’s timing is favorable: the Moon will be a thin crescent (new moon on Nov. 20), so lunar glare will be minimal and skies should be darker than usual.
Best viewing window
Plan to watch after midnight through the pre-dawn hours, when the radiant in the constellation Leo rises higher and more meteors become visible. Under ideal, dark-sky conditions you might see up to a dozen meteors per hour, though stronger outbursts occasionally surprise observers.
How to watch — quick tips
- No telescope needed: meteors streak across wide areas of sky, so unaided eyes are best.
- Find a dark spot: get as far from city lights as possible — parks, coasts, or rural overlooks work well.
- Give your eyes time: allow 20–30 minutes for full night-vision adaptation.
- Scan broadly: the meteors appear to radiate from Leo but can show up anywhere overhead — recline and watch a wide stretch of sky.
- Dress warmly and be patient: bring a blanket or lawn chair, and check the weather forecast.
- Avoid bright lights: turn off flashlights or use red filters; don’t use phone screens frequently.
Extra context
The Leonids are among the fastest and most well-known annual showers. Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle orbits the Sun roughly every 33 years, leaving a dusty trail that Earth crosses each November. After the Leonids, the next major shower to watch is the Geminids, which peak on Dec. 13–14.
Source note: Timing and characteristics referenced from NASA and public astronomical forecasts.