Overview
- The Leonids are forecast to reach maximum activity overnight Nov. 16–17, with the best viewing after midnight into the early morning of Nov. 17.
- Forecasters cite the American Meteor Society in projecting especially favorable conditions thanks to the dim, late‑rising moon.
- No meteor storm is expected this year, according to historical modeling and current forecasts.
- Leonid meteors originate from Comet 55P/Tempel‑Tuttle and hit the atmosphere at about 44 miles per second, producing fast, occasionally bright trails visible from both hemispheres.
- The Northern Taurids are also near peak this week with a chance of bright fireballs, so observers may catch slow, fireball‑prone meteors from Comet Encke on the nights of Nov. 11–12.