The Leonid meteor shower peaks tonight with clearer skies and a waning crescent Moon (about 9% illumination), improving visibility. NASA recommends observing between midnight and sunrise; peak rates can be very high in optimal conditions, though typical non-peak rates are about 10–20 meteors per hour. The Leonids originate from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle (33-year orbit) and streak through the atmosphere at ~44 miles per second. The AMS warns dense debris encounters likely won’t occur until ~2099, so a true storm in 2031 or 2064 is unlikely.
Look Up Tonight: Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks Under Clear, Dark Skies
The Leonid meteor shower peaks tonight with clearer skies and a waning crescent Moon (about 9% illumination), improving visibility. NASA recommends observing between midnight and sunrise; peak rates can be very high in optimal conditions, though typical non-peak rates are about 10–20 meteors per hour. The Leonids originate from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle (33-year orbit) and streak through the atmosphere at ~44 miles per second. The AMS warns dense debris encounters likely won’t occur until ~2099, so a true storm in 2031 or 2064 is unlikely.
10:08 AM, 11/18/2025Science
Look up tonight — the Leonid meteor shower peaks again
The Leonid meteor shower is expected to reach its peak tonight, and clearer skies combined with a thin waning crescent Moon (about 9% illumination) should give skywatchers an excellent chance to see the display.
Timeline
With the Moon only about 9% lit, lunar glare will be minimal and viewing conditions are favorable. NASA recommends observing between midnight and sunrise, when the Leonids are typically most active. At peak, observers in optimal locations may see high rates of meteors (sometimes hundreds to thousands per hour under exceptional circumstances), while outside the peak you can usually expect roughly 10–20 meteors per hour depending on local conditions.
What you can do
To maximize your chances of seeing Leonids:
- Find a dark site well away from city and street lights.
- Face east or simply lie flat on your back and take in as much of the sky as possible — meteors can appear anywhere, though they radiate from the constellation Leo.
- Allow 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark.
- Avoid binoculars or telescopes for general viewing — they narrow your field of view. Bring a blanket or reclining chair for comfort and dress warmly.
Dig deeper
NASA notes the Leonids travel at roughly 44 miles per second (about 70 km/s), making them among the fastest meteors. The debris that creates the Leonids comes from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which completes an orbit of the Sun approximately every 33 years. The Leonids were last notable as a major storm in 2002.
The American Meteor Society (AMS) says Earth is not expected to encounter particularly dense debris streams from Tempel-Tuttle until around 2099, so another true Leonid meteor storm is unlikely when the comet next returns in 2031 or 2064. For up-to-date forecasts and observing tips, check NASA and AMS resources before heading out.
The Source
This report is based on information from NASA, the American Meteor Society, and FOX Weather. The original story was reported from Orlando.