Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks: Viewing Guide and Tips
Imagine the sky as a big dark blanket.
Every year, a trail of space dust, like glitter, is left behind by a comet.
When our planet Earth travels through this glitter trail, tiny pieces of it hit our air really fast.
Because they move so quickly, they burn up and create bright streaks of light in the sky, like shooting stars.
These are called meteors.
The Leonid meteor shower is one of these events, and it's happening now!
It's best seen on dark nights, away from city lights.
You should lie down, look up, and give your eyes about half an hour to get used to the dark.
Sometimes, these meteors are extra bright or leave colorful trails.
Every 33 years, there can be a super-shower with thousands of meteors, but usually, it's a few per hour.
So, get ready to look up and make a wish!
The Leonid meteor shower is currently active and will peak on the mornings of November 16-17.
Leonids are known for their speed, brightness, and color, traveling at 44 miles per second.
While typical rates are low (about 3 meteors per hour), spectacular storms with thousands of meteors can occur every 33 years.
NASA recommends viewing from dark locations, starting after midnight, and allowing eyes to adjust to the darkness.
Meteors are caused by Earth passing through cosmic dust and debris, which burns up upon entering the atmosphere.
- Who
- Stargazers, NASA
- What
- The Leonid meteor shower is active, with peak activity expected.
- When
- Currently active, peaking in the early morning hours of November 16-17.
- Where
- Visible across the sky, best viewed from dark locations away from city lights.
- Why
- Caused by Earth passing through dust and debris left by comets and broken asteroids.
- Shower Name
- Leonid meteor shower
- Active Dates
- November 3 - December 2
- Peak Activity
- Early morning hours of November 16-17
- Meteor Speed
- 44 miles per second (71 km/s)
- Typical Rate
- 3 meteors per hour
- Spectacular Storm Frequency
- Approximately every 33 years