The 2026 Leonid meteor shower is active from November 6 to 30 and peaks on the night of November 16–17, according to NASA's current Leonids guide. The waxing Moon sets before the best predawn hours, creating a useful dark window when Leo is higher and the shower is most favorable.
2026 Leonids at a glance
- Peak night: November 16–17, 2026
- Active period: November 6 to 30
- Parent comet: 55P/Tempel–Tuttle
- Radiant: Leo
- Meteor speed: about 43.5 miles (69.7 kilometers) per second
- Best viewing: after the Moon sets through predawn twilight
- NASA's current dark-sky rate guidance: fewer than three shower meteors per hour
What time should you watch the 2026 Leonids?
Watch after midnight, with the strongest practical window usually coming between local moonset and morning twilight. Leo rises late and climbs toward dawn, so early evening is poor even though the shower is active.
Find the exact moonset and astronomical-dawn times for your location. Arrive earlier, settle in, and let your eyes adapt before the darkest window begins. If November 16–17 is cloudy, try the predawn periods immediately before or after the peak.
How many Leonids will you see in 2026?
NASA's current 2026 guide lists fewer than three Leonids per hour under dark skies. That is a sober expectation, not the 10–15-per-hour figure repeated by many generic calendars.
You may also see unrelated sporadic meteors, and activity can arrive unevenly. One observer may see several streaks in a short burst and then wait through a long quiet spell. Stay for at least an hour before judging the shower.
The Leonids are famous for historical meteor storms, but 2026 is not a promised storm year. The parent comet returns roughly every 33 years and dense old debris trails can occasionally produce outbursts. Treat storm stories as history, not a forecast for this November.
Will moonlight interfere?
The Moon is near first quarter on the peak night. It brightens the evening sky, but it sets before the prime predawn viewing period in many locations. This makes timing more important than driving enormous distances.
If the Moon is still above your horizon, place it behind a solid obstruction and face away from it. Do not choose a spot where the obstruction blocks the eastern sky Leo needs to rise into.
Where should you look for Leonids?
Look across a broad area about 40 to 60 degrees from Leo. Meteors can appear anywhere, and the longest trails are often away from the radiant.
Trace a meteor's path backward. If it points toward Leo, it may be a Leonid. The shower's fast speed is a clue, but direction is more reliable than color or brightness.
The radiant favors Northern Hemisphere observers but is also visible from many Southern Hemisphere locations. Latitude, local horizon, and night length determine how high Leo climbs before dawn.
How to plan a successful Leonid session
- Prioritize a clear predawn window. Cloud-free time after moonset is the strongest combination.
- Choose darkness without sacrificing safety. Avoid direct lights and traffic, but confirm legal access and an easy route out.
- Dress for stationary cold. November observing feels colder than walking in the same temperature.
- Use your naked eyes. A telescope or binoculars shows too little sky.
- Observe for 60–120 minutes. A low-rate shower needs patience.
- Keep the phone dim. Bright screens reset dark adaptation.
Our shooting-star guide explains how shower meteors differ from random sporadic streaks.
What should you bring?
Bring a reclining chair or insulated pad, winter layers, hat, gloves, warm drink, water, dim red light, charged phone, and a simple emergency plan. A sleeping bag used as a wrap can be more effective than another jacket because you will be sitting still.
Do not use a running vehicle for warmth in an enclosed area. If conditions become unsafe or numbness begins, end the session.
How to photograph the Leonids
Mount a camera on a sturdy tripod and use a wide, fast lens. Focus manually on a bright star, confirm focus at high magnification, then capture continuous 10–20 second frames. A starting ISO of 1600–3200 is common, but the correct exposure depends on sky brightness and lens aperture.
Aim 40 to 60 degrees from Leo and away from the Moon or city glow. Keep batteries warm and use an intervalometer so the camera runs while you watch the sky. A successful meteor frame is partly luck; continuous coverage raises the odds.
Why are Leonids so fast?
Leonid particles meet Earth almost head-on, producing an atmospheric speed of roughly 69.7 kilometers per second in NASA's 2026 summary. Their high speed can produce swift streaks and occasional persistent trains.
The particles come from comet 55P/Tempel–Tuttle. Each November, Earth crosses material distributed along the comet's orbit. The annual shower continues even when the comet itself is far away.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Leonid meteor shower in 2026?
NASA lists the Leonids as active from November 6 to 30, with the peak on the night of November 16–17, 2026.
What time is best for the Leonids?
The best time is after midnight through dawn, especially after the Moon sets and Leo has climbed higher in the sky.
How many Leonids will be visible in 2026?
NASA currently gives a rate of fewer than three shower meteors per hour under dark skies. Your actual count depends on cloud, light pollution, radiant altitude, and time spent watching.
Will there be a Leonid meteor storm in 2026?
No meteor storm is promised for 2026. The Leonids have produced historic storms, but ordinary annual returns are much quieter.
Do I need a telescope to see the Leonids?
No. Watch with unaided eyes from a reclining position. Telescopes and binoculars narrow the field too much for unpredictable meteors.
Where is the Leonid radiant?
The radiant lies in Leo. Look well away from Leo for longer meteor trails, then trace each path backward to identify likely shower members.