The Leonids are one of the most famous meteor showers in the world. They are known for very fast, bright meteors and, every few decades, spectacular meteor "storms" with thousands of shooting stars per hour. In 2026, the Leonids peak around the night of 16-17 November. Here is when and how to watch them.
When is the peak?
The predicted maximum is around 06:00 UTC on 17 November 2026, according to Universal Time Date, which makes the night of 16-17 November the best one to watch. Some guides give 17-18 November, and the shower is active for most of the month, so the nights around the peak are worth trying too.
Best time to watch
At the peak, the Moon is around first quarter, about half lit, and it sets around midnight. The radiant, the point the meteors seem to come from, rises late in the evening in the constellation Leo. So the best viewing is from about 1 a.m. until dawn, when the sky is darker and Leo is higher.
Where do the Leonids come from?
The meteors are tiny pieces of dust left behind by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun every 33 years. Each November, Earth passes through this trail of debris. The particles hit the atmosphere at about 71 km per second and burn up, creating bright streaks of light. Some leave glowing trails that last for several seconds.
How to watch
You do not need a telescope or binoculars: they show too little of the sky. Just use your eyes and be patient. Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. Avoid looking at your phone, because its bright screen ruins your night vision. If you want photos, use a camera on a tripod with a wide-angle lens and long exposures.
Conclusion
The 2026 Leonids will not be a meteor storm, but they offer a good chance to see fast, bright shooting stars, especially after midnight on 16-17 November. While you are out, look east before dawn to see Mars and Jupiter close together. See our November night sky guide for more events.