How to See the 2025 Leonid Meteor Shower from the U.S. — When, Where and What to Expect

What you’re seeing: The Leonid meteor shower happens when Earth passes through debris left by comet 55P/Tempel–Tuttle. Sunlight heats the comet’s ices, releasing dust and small fragments that remain along its orbit; when those particles strike Earth’s atmosphere they vaporize and produce streaks of light we call meteors.

Brief history

In the year 868 a comet’s orbit shifted and began crossing Earth’s path. Thirty-four years later observers in places such as Egypt and Italy recorded an extraordinary meteor storm. The most famous Leonid storm occurred on the night of November 12–13, 1833, when observers worldwide reported intense displays of fireballs and countless falling stars. Irish astronomer Agnes Clerke described the event as a “tempest of falling stars,” and later estimates suggested roughly 240,000 meteors were visible during the nine-hour storm.

“The sky was scored in every direction with shining tracks and illuminated with majestic fireballs,” — Agnes Clerke on the 1833 Leonid storm.

The comet behind the show

The Leonids are named because their meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Leo. Their parent body, comet 55P/Tempel–Tuttle, is a short-period comet that returns to the inner solar system about every 33 years. Its nucleus is roughly 2.24 miles (about 3.6 km) across. Each return lays down new debris that can later produce showers; the dramatic 1833 storm came from material shed on a previous pass. Tempel–Tuttle last made a close approach in 1998 and is expected back around 2031, when another strong display is possible.

2025 Leonids — dates and forecast

The 2025 Leonid meteor shower is active from Nov. 3 to Dec. 2, with peak activity in mid-November. Current forecasts predict a relatively modest showing: about 15 Leonids per hour visible from a dark-sky site, on top of a typical background rate of roughly 10 meteors per hour from unrelated sources. This year, Earth is passing through one of the denser sections of the stream, so the next couple of weeks are the best window to look for Leonids.

Where and how to watch

• Visibility: The shower is visible from both northern and southern hemispheres, but northern observers usually have the advantage.
• Moon conditions: The Moon is a waning crescent at about 6% illumination and will rise shortly before sunrise, so moonlight should not significantly interfere with viewing.
• No equipment needed: Meteoroids—often no larger than a grain of sand—hit the atmosphere at extremely high speeds (more than 150,000 miles per hour), glowing as they disintegrate. All you need are your eyes, dark skies, and patience.
• How to identify a Leonid: Trace a meteor’s path backward; if it appears to originate from the direction of Leo, it likely belongs to the Leonids.

Practical tips

If you’re watching from the northern hemisphere, dress warmly and bring blankets, sleeping bags or a reclining chair. Leo typically rises in the east after midnight, and activity continues until dawn. Allow 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark, and avoid looking at bright screens.

Missed the Leonids? The Geminid meteor shower peaks in mid-December and usually produces a stronger display — roughly 40–50 meteors per hour under dark skies.

Enjoy the show, and remember that even a few bright meteors make for a memorable night under the stars.