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Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight With Modest Display Expected

Low predicted rates reflect Earth's passage through a sparse section of comet Temple‑Tuttle's dust stream.

Overview

  • Peak activity is forecast for the night of November 17–18, with the radiant in Leo highest after midnight into early Tuesday.
  • Theoretical rates top out near a ZHR of about 15, so most observers should expect only a few meteors per hour under typical skies.
  • Moonlight will be a minor factor this year because the maximum falls just days before new moon.
  • Clear, dark conditions are crucial for visibility, and light pollution or local cloud cover will sharply reduce counts.
  • Leonid intensity varies with Temple‑Tuttle’s roughly 33‑year orbit, and forecasters say stronger activity could return after the comet’s 2031–2032 passage.