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2h ago

Leonid Meteor Shower to Peak Overnight Nov. 16–17 With Dark Skies Favoring Views

A waning crescent moon should keep glare low, setting up a modest yet fast display under clear, dark skies.

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An engraving by Adolf Vollmy depicts the 1833 Leonids meteor storm and was made famous by a painting by Karl Jauslin. ESA
Weather permitting, under a dark sky away from city lights and light pollution, expect to see approximately 10 to 15 bright meteors per hour Nov. 18, with the best time likely coming in the pre-dawn sky. Gurpreet Singh/Unsplash
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Overview

  • The peak is forecast between Sunday night and early Monday morning, with the best viewing from midnight to pre-dawn local time.
  • Observers under dark skies can expect roughly 3–15 meteors per hour moving at high speed, with occasional bright fireballs possible.
  • Moonlight should pose little interference as the lunar disk will be about 9% illuminated during the peak.
  • The Leonids are visible from both hemispheres and are best viewed from a dark location while looking away from the radiant after allowing eyes to adapt.
  • The shower originates from debris shed by comet 55P/Tempel‑Tuttle, and true meteor storms are rare, with the last in 2002 and none expected until around 2099.