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The Leonids are active from November 6–30, 2026, peaking around November 17–18. The best time to look is between midnight and dawn.
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Skywatchers can expect up to 15 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. In 2026, moonlight shouldn’t interfere with the prime viewing hours.
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Mars and Jupiter appear close together in Leo, while Venus and Mercury join them in the sky before sunrise for a brief mini planet parade.
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When to See the Leonid Meteor Shower in 2026?
The Leonid meteor shower is typically active from November 6 to November 30. However, your best bet for spotting shooting stars will be during the Leonids’ peak around November 17–18.
A good time to look up is between midnight and dawn. Luckily, this year the Moon reaches its First Quarter phase on November 17 and sets around midnight, leaving skies dark during the prime viewing hours.
While the Leonids may not be the biggest meteor shower of the year, in 2026, they come with a bonus: A Mars-Jupiter close approach in the constellation Leo, where the Leonid meteors appear to originate.
And, if that wasn’t enough, two more planets join the show closer to sunrise, with Venus and Mercury appearing low on the horizon, making for a brief mini planet parade visible from the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere gets the same parade, just without Mercury in most locations.
In short, it’s a good idea to head out a little before sunrise on November 18. Even if you don’t get to see shooting stars, you still might get to enjoy up to four planets parading in the morning sky.
How to see meteor showersWhere to See the Leonids
The Leonids can be seen from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
You can spot meteors anywhere in the sky, not just around the meteor shower’s radiant. However, this year it’s worth looking toward the constellation Leo, where Mars and Jupiter will appear close together. Together they make an eye-catching duo to enjoy while you wait for shooting stars.
You can use the two planets as a guide to finding Leo. Look for two bright points of light: Jupiter will shine particularly brightly, while Mars will stand out for its reddish color. It’s also possible to spot Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, nearby.
What to Expect
The Leonids tend to be a modest meteor shower, with the chance to see up to 15 meteors per hour under good conditions.
While it’s not one of the year’s most active meteor showers, the Leonids are known for their bright and sometimes colorful shooting stars. They’re also among the fastest meteors, traveling at around 260,000 kilometers (160,000 miles) per hour.
When Will the Next Leonid Meteor Storm Be?
Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through a trail of debris from a comet. When our planet passes through a particularly dense patch of debris, the result can be a meteor storm
Though the Leonids haven’t put on a big show in recent years, they have a history of producing spectacular meteor storms roughly every 33 years or so, with over 1000 meteors per hour.
The last Leonid meteor storm took place in 2002, so we may have quite a wait before the next. While the International Meteor Organization predicts a potentially good display in 2031, the next true meteor storm isn’t expected until around 2099.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Leonids?
The Leonids are an annual meteor shower caused by debris left behind by Comet 55P/Temple-Tuttle. As Earth passes through this trail of debris, particles enter our atmosphere and burn up, creating the streaks of light we see as meteors.
When is the best time to see the Leonids?
Like most meteor showers, the Leonids are best viewed between midnight and dawn. In 2026, the best time to look is on the night of November 17–18.
How many Leonid meteors can you see per hour?
The Leonids are usually a modest meteor shower. The International Meteor Organization predicts a zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) of around 15 meteors per hour for 2026, although the number you actually see will depend on your location and viewing conditions.
The Leonids have occasionally produced much higher rates in previous years during meteor storms, but no surge in activity is predicted for this year’s shower.
Where can you see the Leonids?
The Leonids can be seen from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. They can be seen in any part of the night sky and appear to originate from the radiant point in the constellation Leo.