Peak rate
15
meteors per hour at peak
UpcomingNov 6 – Nov 30
The Leonids
Tempel-Tuttle debris; storm years (~33 yr cycle) can produce thousands.
Peak: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Countdown to peak
203days
Velocity
71
km/s entering atmosphere
Radiant
Leo
the lion's mane
Best for
Both
hemispheres
Where to look
Meteors radiate outward from a single point on the sky. Face Leo, then keep the radiant in your peripheral vision.
RA 153°right ascension
Dec +22°declination
Northern skyvisible worldwide
Where it comes from
Parent body
Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle
The comet or asteroid whose dust Earth passes through each year.
First recorded
902
Earliest documented observation.
Entry velocity
71 km/s
Speed at which meteoroids hit the atmosphere.
How to watch
Radiant
Leo (the lion's mane)
The apparent point of origin — meteors streak outward from here.
Best viewing time
After midnight
When the radiant is highest above the horizon.
Hemisphere
Both — visible worldwide
Latitude bands that see the highest rates.
Did you know
Produced the 1833 meteor storm — hundreds of thousands per hour. Next outburst expected around 2031.
Watching guide
Tailored for the Leonids.
- 1Get away from city lights
Light pollution hides most meteors. A rural or dark-sky site boosts your count by 5× or more.
- 2Dark-adapt for 20–30 minutes
Your eyes need time to reach peak sensitivity. No phone screens during this window — use a red flashlight if needed.
- 3Aim for the best time: after midnight
Earth turns into the debris stream during these hours, so meteors hit head-on and appear more frequent.
- 4No telescope, no binoculars
Meteors appear all over the sky — you want the widest view possible. A reclining chair and a blanket are better tools than optics.
Next shower after Leonids
Eta Aquariids · peaks May 6