Leonid meteor shower 2025: when to watch, what to expect, and how to see it best
The night sky is putting on a show again, and the Leonid meteor shower is taking center stage. Known for occasional outbursts that turn the heavens into a cascade of shooting stars, the Leonids are one of the most famous annual meteor displays.
This shower has a storied past. First recorded in the year 902, it stunned observers in the 1800s with storms reported at 50,000 to 200,000 meteors per hour. The source is comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which swings through the inner solar system roughly every 33 years. That long orbit is why the Leonids can vary so widely in intensity from one year to the next.
Recent activity has been far more modest. In 2008 and 2009, rates hovered around 100 meteors per hour. This year, the forecast is gentler still—expect up to about 15 meteors per hour under dark skies. Don’t let the numbers fool you, though. Leonids are famous for producing very bright meteors, and some leave long, shimmering green trains that can hang in the sky for several minutes. Even a quieter year can deliver memorable fireballs.
The radiant—the point in the sky where the meteors appear to originate—lies in the constellation Leo. Several bursts of activity are anticipated, making multiple viewing opportunities worthwhile. Circle these dates on your calendar: November 9, as well as November 17 and 18.
How to watch the Leonid meteor shower
– Seek dark, open skies far from city lights. Light pollution will dramatically cut what you can see.
– Put the phone away. Screen brightness ruins night vision and can make faint meteors disappear. Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to fully adjust to the dark.
– Get comfortable. Bring a reclining chair or blanket so you can look up easily with a wide field of view.
– Be patient. Meteor showers come in bursts; spend at least an hour outside to catch the peaks.
– Dress warmly and check the weather. Clear, crisp nights are best for spotting shooting stars.
While the Leonids may not match the raw numbers of the Perseids this year, they make up for it with dramatic, fast, and sometimes colorful meteors. If you can find a dark sky on November 9, 17, or 18, you could be treated to bright streaks and lingering trains that leave a lasting impression.
