Shooting Stars in November 2025: Leonids in the Spotlight!
Five meteor showers will reach their maximum activity in November 2025. The Leonids will become the highlight of the month. Use astronomical calendars in the Sky Tonight and Star Walk 2 apps to learn the peak dates for each meteor shower, see their radiant position in the sky above you, and set notifications not to miss the best time for observation. Also, read this article to learn the latest meteor shower news!
Contents
- November 4-5: Southern Taurids
- November 11-12: Northern Taurids
- November 16-17: Leonids
- November 21-22: Alpha Monocerotids
- November 27-28: November Orionids
- How to watch a meteor shower tonight?
- November Shooting Stars: Conclusion
November 4-5: Southern Taurids
- ZHR: 5-10
- Moon illumination: 99%
- Active: September 20 - November 20
- Radiant location: constellation Taurus
- Visible from: everywhere
- Description: This meteor shower is one of the two branches of the large Taurids meteor stream, which is associated with comet 2P/Encke. Taurid meteors are typically slow-moving, yet occasionally incredibly bright. This makes them a great target for beginners in meteor photography. Read our dedicated article on the Taurid meteor showers to learn how to get the most out of observing these meteors.
Visibility forecast
In 2025, the Southern Taurids’ peak will occur on the night of the Full Moon, so observing conditions will be poor. Still, you can try to block out the Moon by positioning yourself behind a tree or building — it might help you catch a few meteors.
November 11-12: Northern Taurids
- ZHR: 5
- Moon illumination: 49%
- Active: October 20 - December 10
- Radiant location: constellation Taurus
- Visible from: everywhere
- Description: The Northern Taurids are also a part of the broad Taurid stream. Scientists believe that the meteor shower's source is the asteroid 2004 TG10, once belonging to a much larger object called the Encke Complex. The common theory suggests that around 20,000 years ago, this large object broke apart, creating сomet Encke, along with various asteroids and meteor showers.
Visibility forecast
In 2025, the Northern Taurids’s peak coincides with the Last Quarter Moon, so observing conditions will be unfavorable. Nevertheless, finding a spot where a building or tree blocks the Moon’s glare may improve your chances of spotting a few meteors.
November 16-17: Leonids
- ZHR: 15-20
- Moon illumination: 7%
- Active: November 6-30
- Radiant location: constellation Leo
- Visible from: everywhere
- Description: The Leonids, associated with the comet Tempel-Tuttle, are famous for producing breathtaking meteor storms. Such storms occur about every 33 years. For instance, in 1966, observers in North America could see thousands of meteors per hour. The last Leonid meteor storm took place in 2002. The Leonid meteors are among the fastest, reaching a speed of 71 kilometers (44 miles) per second. Learn more about the Leonid meteor shower and how to watch it in our dedicated article.
Visibility forecast
In 2025, the Leonids will peak just a few days before the New Moon, offering excellent viewing conditions. Look for meteors from late night on November 16 through dawn on November 17. The radiant will rise around midnight and reach its highest point in the sky by dawn.
November 21-22: Alpha Monocerotids
- ZHR: variable
- Moon illumination: 5%
- Active: November 15-25
- Radiant location: constellation Monoceros
- Visible from: everywhere
- Description: The parent body of Alpha Monocerotids is unknown, but it’s probably a long-period comet with an orbital period of about 500 years. The Alpha Monocerotids have been known to show outbursts of activity with a zenithal hourly rate of more than 1,000 meteors. The last such outburst occurred in 1935, and in 1995 the meteor storm reached the ZHR of 400 meteors per hour.
Visibility forecast
The Alpha Monocerotids are quite a weak meteor shower, and no outbursts of activity are expected this year. However, the New Moon on November 20, 2025, provides us with perfect conditions for observing this meteor shower, so you can give it a chance. The radiant will reach a suitable elevation above the horizon about local midnight.
November 27-28: November Orionids
- ZHR: 3
- Moon illumination: 54%
- Active: November 14 - December 6
- Radiant location: constellation Orion
- Visible from: everywhere
- Description: The November Orionids are quite a weak meteor stream with a rate of only 3 meteors per hour. Some sources claim that the origin of this meteor shower is unknown, as the parent body may have disintegrated long ago. Other studies suggest that it came from a large comet called C/1917 F1 (Mellish).
Visibility forecast
In 2025, the November Orionids will peak on the night of the First Quarter Moon. Fortunately, the Moon will set in the late evening, leaving the sky dark for the rest of the night and making for good observing conditions. The best time to watch the meteors is around 2 a.m. local time when the radiant reaches its highest point in the sky.
Are you ready to see the meteors? Challenge yourself by taking the quiz on how to catch a shooting star. And if you're unsure of your skills, don't worry! We've got some quick tips for you.
How to watch a meteor shower tonight?
Prepare for the best meteor shower observations with the Sky Tonight astronomy app by following these steps:
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Determine the peak time. Use the app’s calendar feature to find the meteor shower you want to observe. The peak times are marked as dots. Tap on the event to get more details.
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Identify the radiant’s location. Check when the radiant (the point in the sky from which meteors appear to originate) is highest. Find the needed meteor shower in search, tap on it, go to Events, and look at Visible Passes. The middle time indicates when the radiant is highest in your sky. View its position on the sky map at that moment.
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Consider the weather and the Moon phase. Use the Visible Tonight section (telescope icon) to check the Moon’s phase, weather forecast, and other stargazing details for your chosen date.
For more meteor-hunting tips, read our dedicated article or check our colorful infographic.
November Shooting Stars: Conclusion
Five meteor showers will reach their peaks in November 2025. The most promising of them are the Leonids — they’ll peak near the New Moon and could produce up to 20 meteors per hour. Make sure you don’t miss a shooting star! Easily locate any meteor shower's radiant and check the Moon phase for specific dates using the stargazing app Sky Tonight.
Wishing you clear skies and joyful observations!
