If you missed the peaks for the Northern and Southern Taurid meteor showers, you may soon get another chance with the Leonid meteor shower.
The Leonid meteor shower, which is active from Nov. 6 to Nov. 30, will peak from the night of Nov. 16 to Nov. 17, according to the American Meteor Society. And the moon, which will be a waning crescent around and around, at about 9% full, will not spoil the view.
The shower comes from debris that comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle passed by Earth, and is known for producing meteor showers, during which hundreds to thousands of meteors can be seen every hour. But that may not happen again until 2099.
Around 10 to 15 meteors an hour can be observed under dark skies at the showers’ peak every year, according to USA TODAY’s previous reporting.
Here’s what to know about the meteor shower.
When will the Leonid meteor shower peak?
The meteor shower will peak from the night of Nov. 16 to Nov. 17.
Where can the Leonid be seen?
The Leonid meteor shower tends to look like it’s coming from the constellation Leo the Lion and the eastern part of the sky. Still, meteors may appear from anywhere, according to NASA.
Apps like SkyView or SkySafari Pro could help stargazers and backyard astronomers spot the constellation.
When was the last time the comet caused a meteor storm?
The last time the comet passed by Earth and produced a meteor storm was in 2002, according to the American Meteor Society.
Previously, it created storms in the following years:
One of the most famous storms occurred in 1966, when the comet created a meteor storm that produced at least 1,000 meteors an hour, according to NASA.
More meteor showers in 2025
Some of the meteor showers that have already happened this year are Quadrantids (started in 2024 but peaked in January 2025), Lyrids, Eta Aquariids, and the Alpha Capricornids and Southern Delta Aquariids, according to the American Meteor Society website.
The American Meteor Society also states that there are several more happening this year, which, according to NASA and the Society, include the following:
- Orionids– Thursday, Sept. 26 to Wednesday, Nov. 22; peaked the night of Wednesday, Oct. 22 into the morning of Thursday, Oct. 23. The moon was 2% full.
- Southern Taurids– Monday, Oct. 13 to Thursday, Nov. 27; peaked on the night of Tuesday, Nov. 4 into the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 5. The moon was 96% full.
- Northern Taurids– Monday, Oct. 13 to Monday, Dec. 1; peaked the night of Saturday, Nov. 8 into the morning of Sunday, Nov. 9. The moon will be 83% full.
- Leonids– Monday, Nov. 3 to Tuesday, Dec. 2; peaks the night of Sunday, Nov. 16 into the morning of Monday, Nov. 17. On this night, the moon will be 9% full.
- Geminids– Monday, Dec. 1 to Thursday, Dec. 21; peaks on the night of Thursday, Nov. 13 to the morning of Friday, Nov. 14. The moon will be 30% full.
- Ursids– Tuesday, Dec. 16 to Friday, Dec. 26; Peaks on the night of Sunday, Dec. 21 to the morning of Monday, Dec. 22. The moon will be 3% full.
The Quadrantids will also begin in 2025 on Friday, Dec. 26, but the shower will not peak until Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, when the moon will be 100% full.
Which meteor showers will be the easiest to view this year?
Depending on the weather and cloud cover, showers closer to the new moon will be less affected by the moon’s light, making them easier to see.
Of the six meteor showers that will reach their peak in 2025, the Leonids and Ursids will have the least amount of interference from the moon and possibly offer better views.
Do you need any equipment to see the Leonid meteor shower?
No, onlookers will not need any equipment to see the meteor shower. In fact, you don’t even need a telescope or binoculars, according to NASA.
A telescope can limit your view of the night sky. You want to ensure you have a clear view of the entire night sky, especially since multiple showers are occurring simultaneously, and a falling star can come from any direction.
If you do decide to try to watch the Leonid meteor shower, make sure you do the following:
- Check the weather and cloud coverage in your area to make sure conditions are optimal to view the meteor shower
- Find a dark location away from light pollution
- Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark
- Avoid looking at phones or bright lights
To be as comfortable as possible, dress appropriately for the weather, use bug spray, and bring a blanket, a sleeping bag, or a reclining chair to lie on.
Contributing: Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY