Leonid Meteor Shower 2026: Peak Date, Viewing Tips, And History
The Leonid meteor shower peaks on November 17–18, 2026, bringing up to 15 meteors per hour and a story worth revisiting. This November marks 60 years since the spectacular 1966 Leonid storm. No similar storm is expected in 2026, but the shower still offers a reason to head outside this month. Use Sky Tonight to find the best viewing time — and read on to learn more about observing the Leonids this year.
Contents
- Leonid Meteor Shower: Main Facts And Viewing Conditions in 2026
- What Is the Leonid Meteor Shower?
- The History of the Leonid Meteor Shower
- The Leonid Meteor Shower 2026: Conclusion
Leonid Meteor Shower: Main Facts And Viewing Conditions in 2026
- Active: November 6–30
- Peak of activity: November 17–18
- Meteors per hour: 15
- Moon phase: waxing gibbous, just past the First Quarter
- Radiant location: Leo
- Parent body: Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle
- Visibility: both hemispheres; better from the Northern Hemisphere
Meteor hourly rates are ZHR estimates: the number of meteors visible in one hour under ideal dark skies with the radiant directly overhead. Actual counts are usually lower.
The Leonids are a classic autumn meteor shower in the Northern Hemisphere, produced by debris from Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. They’re famous for their historic meteor storms, but in most years, they deliver a moderate display of very fast meteors.
Leonids 2026 visibility forecast
According to the International Meteor Organization’s 2026 calendar, the regular Leonid maximum is expected on November 17 at 23:45 UTC. An alternative prediction by Mikhail Maslov, cited in the same calendar, places the maximum at 16:00 UTC that day.
At the predicted maximum on November 17, the Moon will be in its waxing gibbous phase, just past the First Quarter. Moonlight may hide fainter meteors while the Moon is above the horizon. Plan observations after local moonset and before morning twilight, when the radiant in Leo is higher in the sky. Viewing conditions are generally better in the Northern Hemisphere.
No major outburst is predicted for 2026. Models suggest encounters with several low-density dust trails that may produce modest increases in activity on November 17–19.
Where to look for the Leonid meteor shower in 2026?
The meteor shower’s radiant is located in the constellation Leo — this is the point from which the Leonids appear to originate. However, you don’t have to look specifically at this constellation. It’s better to keep in view as much of the night sky as possible. Meteors seen farther from the radiant generally have longer apparent paths across the sky, making them easier to spot and photograph. Watch with the naked eye — no telescope or binoculars are needed. Choose a dark site with an open view and allow about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt. For more advice, see our guide to watching meteor showers.
Still, if you want to have a reference point, here is how to find the location of the Leonids radiant using the Star Walk 2 or Sky Tonight apps:
- Open one of the apps and type “Leonids” in search.
- In Sky Tonight, tap the target button next to the Leonids’ meteor shower radiant; in Star Walk 2, just tap the result. You’ll see the location of the meteor shower’s radiant on the sky map on a given date.
- Point your device at the sky, so that the image on the screen adjusts to the real sky above you. Now follow the arrow to find out the location of the Leonids’ radiant above you right now.
What Is the Leonid Meteor Shower?
The Leonid meteor shower is one of the major annual meteor showers that peaks in mid-November. It belongs to the major meteor showers, which are easy to observe even for inexperienced meteor hunters. The parent body of the Leonids is the comet Tempel-Tuttle. Their radiant point is located in the constellation Leo — the meteors appear to originate from this constellation.
Unlike the Taurids, which are also visible in November, the Leonid meteors are very fast. More than 200 times faster than a rifle bullet, a glowing Leonid meteor flies at a speed of 71 kilometers per second and may leave behind a long blue-green trail. Its vapor trails may linger in the sky like enormous smoke rings for several minutes and change shape in high-altitude winds.
The History of the Leonid Meteor Shower
The Leonid stream is indeed one of the greatest meteor showers ever seen. Although its common display is not that outstanding, there were times when the Leonids appeared like a true rain of meteors, astonishing regular observers and inspiring scientific research.
Leonid meteor shower in 1833: the storm that transformed astronomy
In November 1833, the Leonids produced one of the most remarkable meteor storms ever recorded, with tens of thousands of meteors appearing per hour. The display helped transform the scientific study of meteors.
Previously, astronomers thought that meteors were atmospheric phenomena, like rain or snow. But the activity of the Leonids in November 1833 made them curious, so different theories began to emerge. In January 1834, Denison Olmsted suggested that the meteors had originated from a cloud of particles in space.
In 1863, astronomer Hubert Anson Newton used accounts of earlier Leonid displays to predict that another storm would occur in 1866. His prediction preceded the discovery of the shower’s parent comet — and the storm returned as expected.
Meanwhile, Ernst Tempel discovered a comet in 1865, and Horace Tuttle independently discovered it in 1866. Named Comet Tempel-Tuttle, it takes about 33 years to orbit the Sun. In 1867, astronomers established its connection with the Leonids by comparing their orbits. This linked the recurring meteor shower to the debris left behind by a comet.
The Leonids in 1966: a 15-minute meteor storm
In 1966, there was another remarkable Leonid meteor storm. On November 17, fortunate observers in North America witnessed 40 to 50 meteors streaking across the sky every second. This breathtaking display continued for 15 minutes, leaving the observers in awe.
What caused the storm? Later orbital calculations linked it to a dense trail of particles released by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle during its 1899 return. In 1966, Earth passed through that concentrated debris, producing a dramatic surge in meteor numbers. November 2026 marks the storm’s 60th anniversary, however, this year’s forecasts point to ordinary Leonid activity.
Continuing history of the Leonid meteor storm
The Leonids are known for producing spectacular meteor storms at roughly 33-year intervals, corresponding to the orbital period of Comet Tempel-Tuttle. However, a major storm isn't guaranteed every 33 years. Some returns, including those in 1899 and 1933, produced disappointing displays, while other years brought unforgettable celestial fireworks.
Until the end of the 20th century, astronomers still didn’t know how to forecast meteor shower activity accurately. Only by the end of the 1990s, when computers became powerful enough, did researchers manage to calculate the Leonid activity for several years. The 1999 Leonid storm was the first to be confidently predicted using this method. Nowadays, we have predictions about the outburst in the Leonids’ activity down to ten minutes. According to these predictions, the next Leonid meteor storm will occur on November 17, 2033.
Mikhail Maslov’s long-term forecast for November 17, 2033, suggests a peak zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) of 300–400 under ideal observing conditions. A more recent model suggests even stronger activity, up to 1400 meteors per hour, although the actual meteor rate remains uncertain.
The Leonid Meteor Shower 2026: Conclusion
In 2026, the Leonids are expected to peak around November 17–18, with up to 15 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. Although a half-lit Moon might wash out fainter meteors, the observers can enjoy “shooting stars” after local moonset and before morning twilight. Find a spot away from city lights, give your eyes time to adjust, and enjoy the sight of fast, colorful meteors streaking across the night sky. You can also use the Sky Tonight app to check the peak time for your exact location.
Good luck with your meteor hunting!
