Leonid meteor shower 2026: peak night and US viewing tips

The Leonid meteor shower 2026 is expected to peak around November 18, but US viewers should plan to watch from late on November 17 through dawn on November 18.

The Leonids remain active beyond one night. The shower’s activity is listed as November 6 through November 30 by NASA, while EarthSky gives a broader window from November 3 through December 2. November 18 is a predicted peak, not the only night when meteors may appear.

When do the Leonids peak in 2026?

The 2026 peak night is listed as November 16–17 by NASA. The peak is predicted at 00:00 UTC on November 18 by EarthSky. These are differing source forecasts, not two calendar descriptions of one forecast. For observers in the United States, watch late on November 17 through dawn on November 18. The morning of November 17 may produce Leonids too.

Under ideal dark-sky conditions with no Moon, EarthSky estimates 10 to 15 meteors per hour at peak. Fewer than three meteors per hour under dark skies are listed by NASA. These figures reflect different forecasts and observing conditions, not a fixed count for every viewer.

What causes the Leonid meteor shower?

The Leonids come from debris released by comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. As the comet travels around the Sun, it leaves dust and other particles along its orbit. Earth passes through that trail each year. When the particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they break apart and create the streaks called meteors.

The comet takes about 33 years to orbit the Sun. Its debris makes the Leonids one of the fastest annual meteor showers, with particles moving at about 44 miles per second, or 71 kilometers per second. The shower can produce bright meteors, fireballs and Earth-grazers.

How should you watch from the US?

Choose a location away from city and street lights. Start after midnight and continue toward dawn, when local conditions allow.

Give your eyes time to adjust after you move into the dark. Adaptation can take less than 30 minutes.

A storm is generally defined as at least 1,000 meteors per hour. The shower produced extraordinary storms in the past, including the 1966 event, when observers reported thousands of meteors per minute during a short period.

Timing with ClockZone

Each row shows the same predicted time, a forecast by astronomers rather than a fixed schedule; the best viewing hours depend on your location and sky conditions.

ClockZone tools

• Countdown timer
• World clock
• Time zone converter

References

1. Leonids Meteor Shower · science.nasa.gov
2. Leonid meteor shower: All you need to know in 2026 · earthsky.org