A bright streak flashes across the night sky. It may look like a star falling, but it is actually a tiny piece of space debris creating light as it rushes into Earth’s atmosphere. Each November, Earth passes through debris left by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, producing the annual Leonid meteor shower.
In 2026, the Leonids are active from November 6 to 30, with the main peak forecast around November 16–17. Depending on your location, the most useful observing hours may fall before dawn on November 17 or 18. The predicted zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) is about 15 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. This is a standardised estimate—not a promise that an observer will see 15 meteors every hour.
What is the Leonid meteor shower?
The Leonids are an annual meteor shower visible in November. They occur when Earth travels through a stream of dust and small rocky particles associated with Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Some particles enter Earth’s atmosphere at very high speed and create the bright streaks known as meteors.
The shower is named after the constellation Leo. Its meteors appear to radiate from a point in that constellation, called the radiant. This is a perspective effect: the meteors can streak across many parts of the sky, so you do not need to look directly at Leo. In fact, looking at a broad area of sky is often more rewarding.
When will the Leonid meteor shower peak in 2026?
The main Leonid peak is forecast around November 16–17, 2026. NASA’s November skywatching guidance highlights the early mornings of November 17 and 18, after moonset, as opportunities to look. These dates describe a short period of activity around the predicted peak; the calendar date experienced by an observer depends on their time zone.
For most observers, a useful general plan is to watch from after midnight into the hours before dawn, when Leo is higher in the sky. The exact best time varies with latitude and local sky conditions, so check a local astronomy forecast as the date approaches.
Where can you see the Leonids?
The Leonids can be seen from many locations in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, provided Leo is above the horizon and the sky is clear. The radiant rises higher and remains better placed for observers at many northern latitudes, so viewing geometry can favour the Northern Hemisphere. Southern observers may see fewer meteors, but the shower is not exclusive to the north.
Your actual view depends on cloud cover, light pollution, the Moon, your latitude and the height of the radiant. A forecast ZHR of about 15 assumes idealised conditions, including a dark sky and the radiant overhead. Real observers generally see fewer meteors, sometimes considerably fewer.
What does 15 meteors per hour actually mean?
The figure of around 15 is the predicted zenithal hourly rate (ZHR). It is a comparison rate calculated for an observer under ideal conditions, with a dark sky and the shower’s radiant at the zenith—the point directly overhead. It is not a personal forecast or a guaranteed count. If the radiant is low, the sky is bright or clouds block part of the view, the number you see will be lower.
How does a meteor shower happen?
1. A comet releases dust and gas
Comets are icy bodies that orbit the Sun. As a comet approaches the Sun, its surface warms and ice turns directly into gas. Escaping gas carries dust away from the nucleus. The particles spread along the comet’s orbit and can remain in space long after the comet has moved on.
2. Earth crosses the particle stream
Comet Tempel-Tuttle takes roughly 33 years to orbit the Sun. Its orbit leaves trails of debris, and Earth’s path around the Sun intersects the region containing some of that material. Around the same time each November, our planet passes through this stream. The particles we encounter may have been released during earlier returns of the comet; they are not all freshly shed in 2026.
3. Meteoroids create light in the atmosphere
Leonid meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere at about 70 kilometres per second—roughly 252,000 kilometres per hour. At this extraordinary speed, the meteoroid collides with air molecules and produces a hot, luminous region of gas around its path. The meteoroid and surrounding atmosphere become heated and excited, creating the streak of light we see.
Most particles that produce ordinary meteor streaks are small and do not reach the ground. The visible flash is not a star or a burning rock travelling all the way to the surface. It is light produced high in the atmosphere as the incoming material loses energy.
Why are Leonid meteors so fast?
The speed is caused by the way Earth’s orbit meets the orbit of the comet’s debris. The particles travel around the Sun on paths that intersect Earth’s path at a steep angle and high relative speed. When they meet the atmosphere, Leonid meteoroids are among the fastest commonly observed shower particles.
Their high speed can produce bright, short-lived streaks. Some brighter meteors leave a persistent train: a faint, glowing or twisted trail in the upper atmosphere that can remain visible after the meteor has vanished.
Could the Leonids produce a meteor storm?
Yes, but meteor storms are rare. They can happen when Earth encounters a particularly dense concentration of material in the comet’s debris stream. A storm is commonly described as activity reaching roughly 1,000 meteors per hour or more on the idealised ZHR scale.
The Leonids are famous for major historical outbursts, including the spectacular storms of 1833, 1866 and 1966, as well as strong activity in 1999, 2001 and 2002. These events do not happen every year. The 2026 forecast is for a much more modest shower, not a repeat of those storms. The American Meteor Society’s long-range discussion points to a possible encounter with dense older trails around the end of this century; such distant predictions are not a guarantee of a future storm.
How to watch the Leonid meteor shower
You do not need a telescope or binoculars. Your eyes cover a much wider field of view, which makes them better for catching meteors that can appear anywhere across the sky.
- Find a dark place: Get away from streetlights and bright buildings if it is safe to do so.
- Watch after midnight: Try the hours before dawn, when the radiant is generally better placed.
- Wait for moonset: Moonlight brightens the sky and hides fainter meteors. The Moon is a waxing crescent around the peak (about 39% illuminated on the November 16–17 peak night in the American Meteor Society calendar). NASA recommends looking during the early mornings of November 17 and 18 after the Moon sets.
- Let your eyes adapt: Give yourself around 20–30 minutes in darkness and avoid looking at bright screens.
- Look at a wide area: Do not stare only at Leo; meteors can appear far from the radiant.
- Check the weather: Clouds can block the display completely, and local forecasts may change.
What should you realistically expect in 2026?
Expect a modest annual meteor shower, not a spectacular storm. The forecast ZHR is around 15 per hour under ideal conditions, but your personal count may be much lower. A dark location, clear weather, a good view of the sky and waiting until after moonset can improve your chances.
The larger story is what the Leonids reveal: Earth regularly crosses streams of ancient material left by comets. A brief flash overhead is a tiny particle meeting our atmosphere at extraordinary speed—a visible reminder that our planet is moving through a dynamic solar system.
Frequently asked questions
Are shooting stars really stars?
No. A shooting star is a meteor: the streak of light produced when a small particle from space interacts with Earth’s atmosphere.
Do I need a telescope to see the Leonids?
No. Your unaided eyes are best because meteors can appear across a wide area of sky. A telescope’s narrow field of view makes it less useful for watching a meteor shower.
Can people in the Southern Hemisphere see the Leonids?
Yes. The Leonids are visible from both hemispheres when the radiant is above the horizon, although the viewing geometry can favour many northern locations.
What time should I watch the Leonids in the USA?
Try after midnight and before dawn around the predicted peak, especially after moonset. The exact local time depends on your time zone, location, weather and when Leo rises higher in your sky.
Can I see the Leonids from the UK?
Yes. The shower is observable from the UK. Choose a dark location with a clear view, and check local weather and moonset times for the night you plan to watch.
Will the Leonids produce thousands of meteors in 2026?
No major meteor storm is forecast for 2026. The predicted ZHR is around 15 per hour under ideal conditions, far below storm levels.
Sources and further reading
The timing and observing guidance below are based on published astronomy forecasts. The American Meteor Society lists a waxing crescent Moon, about 39% illuminated, on the November 16–17 peak night; local moonset times vary. General explanations of comet activity, meteors and meteor showers are supported by NASA and established astronomy organisations.
- NASA — Leonids meteor shower
- NASA — November 2026 skywatching guide
- American Meteor Society — Meteor shower calendar
- International Meteor Organization — Meteor shower calendar
- The Planetary Society — Guide to meteor showers
Editorial note: Peak dates and best viewing hours can differ by location. The ZHR is an idealised comparison rate, not a guaranteed number of meteors visible to an individual observer. Check local moonset, weather and astronomy forecasts before heading out.