Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend: What to Expect

CHELSEA, NY — The Leonid meteor shower will reach its peak this weekend, providing stargazers with a spectacular show. The annual event is expected to feature around 10 to 15 shooting stars per hour, peaking Sunday night into Monday morning.

This iconic meteor shower occurs as Earth passes through debris from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Astronomers predict a typical year for the Leonids, particularly after a less-than-stellar showing in 2024.

Meteors may start to show as early as Sunday night, but the best viewing time will be post-3 a.m. local time on Monday. Observers are advised to find dark locations away from city lights to enhance visibility.

“The Leonids are best known for producing meteor storms during specific years, with notable events in 1833, 1866, 1966, 1999, 2001, and 2002,” said the American Meteor Society. However, no such outbursts are expected this year.

The radiant point of the Leonids is in the constellation Leo, and while meteors will appear to originate from this area, they will be visible across the entire sky. Stargazers should allow their eyes to adjust to the dark, which can take 15 to 30 minutes.

After the Leonids, the next major meteor shower will be the Geminids, peaking on December 13-14, which might deliver over 100 shooting stars per hour. Observers eager for celestial events should keep looking up.