Overview
- The peak occurs overnight Nov. 16–17, with another decent viewing window the following night before dawn.
- Best viewing is after midnight through the pre-dawn hours from a dark location, and no telescope or binoculars are needed.
- A thin waning crescent moon around 9% illumination should minimize glare, leaving weather and light pollution as the main obstacles.
- The Leonids originate from comet 55P/Tempel‑Tuttle’s debris stream and are among the fastest meteors, sometimes producing striking fireballs and Earth‑grazers.
- Under good conditions typical rates near peak are roughly a dozen meteors per hour, whereas rare storm-level outbursts like 1966 and 2002 are not expected this year.