Leonids Peak Night — How to Watch the Nov. 17, 2025 Meteor Shower from Ohio

Leonid meteor shower to peak mid-November 2025

What to expect: The Leonid meteor shower, active since Nov. 6 and forecast to remain detectable through at least Nov. 30, is expected to peak the night of Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Under dark skies observers can typically expect roughly 3–15 meteors per hour, with many streaks notable for their brightness, color and exceptional speed — about 44 miles per second (≈71 km/s).

Although the Leonids seldom produce large hourly counts in most years, they are known for bright fireballs and long, colorful "Earth-grazers" that skim the horizon. On very rare occasions the stream has produced meteor storms (≈1,000 meteors per hour), but no storm is expected this year.

Why meteor storms are rare

Meteor storms happen when fresh dust is released from the parent comet near perihelion and Earth passes through a dense trail. The Leonids come from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which has a roughly 33-year orbit; the last major Leonid storm occurred in 2002. The American Meteor Society indicates Earth is not expected to encounter similarly dense debris clouds until around 2099, though Tempel-Tuttle will reach perihelion in 2031 and could increase activity then.

Moon and viewing conditions

A waning crescent moon of about 9% illumination will be present during the 2025 peak, so lunar glare should not significantly interfere with viewing. The best time to watch is typically between midnight and the pre-dawn hours; meteors can appear anywhere in the sky but seem to radiate from the constellation Leo.

NASA viewing tips

• Find a dark location well away from streetlights and urban glow.
• Dress warmly and bring a blanket, sleeping bag or reclining lawn chair.
• Lie on your back with your feet pointed east and take in as much sky as possible.
• Allow up to 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark, and be patient — the display continues until dawn.

Where to watch in Ohio

Ohio has several recommended dark-sky locations:

• Geauga Observatory Park (Montville Township, Geauga County) — designated a dark-sky site and home to the Nassau Observatory.
• Fry Family Park (near Magnolia) — an IDA-certified urban dark-sky area about 10 miles south of Canton.
• Other options: Burr Oak State Park, Stonelick State Park (near Cincinnati) and the Lamping Homestead Recreation Area inside Wayne National Forest.

Local weather outlook (check before you go)

Nighttime cloud cover varies across Ohio; forecasts cited conditions for Nov. 17–18 with increasing clouds or rain possible in some cities. Check the National Weather Service for up-to-date local forecasts for Akron, Columbus, Cincinnati or your town before heading out.

Quick science refresher

Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through trails of debris left by comets or small bodies. Each debris particle (a meteoroid) vaporizes in the atmosphere and creates a meteor — a bright streak often called a "shooting star." If a piece survives and reaches the ground, it is a meteorite. The Leonids originate from 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, discovered independently by Tempel and Tuttle in 1865–66.

Other upcoming showers

Later in 2025 watch the Geminids (active Dec. 1–21; peak Dec. 13–14), the Ursids (active Dec. 16–26; peak Dec. 21–22), and the Quadrantids (activity begins Dec. 26, 2025; peaks Jan. 3, 2026).

Sources: American Meteor Society, NASA, The Planetary Society, National Weather Service.