The Leonid meteor shower peaks the night of Nov. 16–17, 2025, with meteors blazing in at about 44 miles per second. The shower is active from Nov. 3 to Dec. 2 and can produce roughly 15 meteors per hour under dark skies. NASA recommends watching from midnight to dawn, lying back with feet to the east, and allowing about 30 minutes for eyes to adjust; no telescope is needed. The moon is a thin crescent (~7–9%), so viewing conditions should be favorable.
Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight — Best Times to Watch in Tennessee (Nov. 16–17, 2025)
The Leonid meteor shower peaks the night of Nov. 16–17, 2025, with meteors blazing in at about 44 miles per second. The shower is active from Nov. 3 to Dec. 2 and can produce roughly 15 meteors per hour under dark skies. NASA recommends watching from midnight to dawn, lying back with feet to the east, and allowing about 30 minutes for eyes to adjust; no telescope is needed. The moon is a thin crescent (~7–9%), so viewing conditions should be favorable.
10:55 PM, 11/17/2025Science
Leonid meteor shower peaks tonight; when to watch in Tennessee
Some of the sky's fastest meteors will streak overhead during the night of Nov. 16–17, 2025 as the Leonid meteor shower reaches its peak. NASA reports these bright, colorful meteors cross the atmosphere at roughly 44 miles per second. The Leonids are an annual mid-November display known for both fireballs (large, brilliant meteors) and Earth-grazers that skim the horizon and produce long, colorful tails.
When the shower is active
The Leonids are active from Nov. 3 to Dec. 2, 2025, with peak activity occurring the night of Nov. 16 into the morning of Nov. 17. Under dark skies, StarWalk.com estimates the shower can produce up to ~15 meteors per hour. If you don’t see many on the peak night, try again in the early morning hours of Nov. 18.
Best time and viewing tips
NASA recommends starting around midnight local time and watching through dawn for the best chance to see Leonids. For optimal viewing:
“Come prepared for winter temperatures with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair. Orient yourself with your feet toward the east, lie flat on your back, and look up to take in as much of the sky as possible,” NASA advises.
Give your eyes about 30 minutes in full darkness to adapt. Be patient — the show can continue until dawn.
Moon and visibility
The moon will be a thin waning crescent on the peak night (roughly 7–9% illuminated), so lunar glare should not significantly hinder visibility. Choose a viewing site well away from city and street lights for the best results.
What gear you need
No special equipment is required. In fact, a telescope can restrict your view — meteors can appear from any direction, so a wide, unobstructed view of the sky is best.
Other meteor showers this season
According to the American Meteor Society and NASA, other notable showers this season include:
- Orionids — Sept. 26 to Nov. 22; peaked Oct. 22–23.
- Southern Taurids — Oct. 13 to Nov. 27; peaked Nov. 4–5.
- Northern Taurids — Oct. 13 to Dec. 1; peaked Nov. 8–9.
- Leonids — Nov. 3 to Dec. 2; peak Nov. 16–17 (moon ~7–9% illumination).
- Geminids — Dec. 1 to Dec. 21; peak Dec. 13–14 (moon ~30% illumination).
- Ursids — Dec. 16 to Dec. 26; peak Dec. 21–22 (moon ~3% illumination).
The Quadrantids begin Dec. 26, 2025, and their peak falls on Jan. 3, 2026, when the moon will be near full.
Sources: NASA, American Meteor Society, StarWalk.com.
Contributing: USA TODAY. Reported by Diana Leyva for the Nashville Tennessean.