The Leonid meteor shower reaches its peak tonight, offering a celestial display as Earth passes through debris from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. This annual event brings a flurry of meteors, commonly known as “shooting stars,” visible to the naked eye under dark skies.
What Are the Leonids?
Meteors occur when tiny fragments of ancient comets collide with Earth’s atmosphere at tremendous speeds—tens of thousands of miles per hour. The friction ignites these fragments, creating bright streaks of light across the night sky. The Leonids specifically originate from the debris trail left behind by comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which Earth encounters each November.
When and Where to Watch
The shower is active from November 3 to December 2, with the peak occurring overnight on November 16–17. According to the American Meteor Society, observers can expect to see up to 10 meteors per hour radiating from the constellation Leo.
The best viewing time is late on November 16 through the early hours of November 17. Position yourself with a clear view of the eastern horizon, where Leo will be high in the sky. Jupiter will appear brightly to the upper right of the constellation, serving as a helpful landmark.
To maximize your chances of spotting fainter meteors, allow at least 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Using a red flashlight will help preserve your night vision better than white light.
What to Expect: Rates and Visibility
Robert Lunsford of the American Meteor Society estimates 5–10 meteors per hour during the peak. Rates will decline rapidly in subsequent nights, dropping to around 5 per hour on November 18 and further diminishing thereafter.
The optimal viewing location is away from city lights, where dark skies enhance visibility. Look roughly 40 degrees above the radiant point in Leo—approximately the width of four clenched fists held at arm’s length—to see the longest meteor trails.
Historic Storms and Future Peaks
The Leonid meteor shower has historically produced spectacular “storms” with hundreds or even thousands of meteors visible per hour. However, Earth isn’t expected to encounter a particularly dense cloud of cometary debris until 2099.
For those interested in capturing the event, astrophotography guides and resources on cameras and lenses are available to help document the shower.
The Leonid meteor shower provides an annual opportunity to witness a stunning celestial display. With clear skies and patience, observers can enjoy a glimpse of cosmic debris burning up in Earth’s atmosphere
