A Famous November Display
The Leonids are one of the most famous meteor showers in history, known for producing spectacular meteor storms in the past. Although 2026 isn’t expected to bring one of those extraordinary displays, the annual shower is still worth watching. This year, the best viewing conditions will come after midnight, when the Moon sets and darker skies return.
What Is a Meteor Shower?
Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through a trail of dust and debris left behind by a comet or asteroid. As these tiny particles enter our atmosphere at high speeds, they burn up and streak across the sky as meteors, often called “shooting stars.”
Each annual meteor shower comes from a particular parent object, and its meteors appear to radiate from a specific area of the sky. That point is called the radiant, and it helps astronomers identify which shower a meteor belongs to.
When to Watch
The Leonids are active from November 6 through November 30, with their peak expected around November 17. The best time to watch will be late on November 17 and into the early morning hours of November 18.
Under ideal dark-sky conditions, the Leonids can produce about 15 meteors per hour. Actual numbers will vary depending on your location, weather, light pollution, and viewing conditions.
The Moon will be near its first-quarter phase during the peak, with roughly half of its surface illuminated. Its light will make some of the fainter meteors harder to see during the evening. Fortunately, the Moon sets around 12:06 AM in Denver on November 18, leaving the pre-dawn hours much darker. For the best chance of spotting Leonids, plan to stay out after midnight.
What to Expect
Leonid meteors are famous for their fast, bright streaks. Traveling at approximately 44 miles per second (71 kilometers per second), they are among the fastest meteors we see each year. Some leave glowing trains that linger in the sky for several seconds.
The shower is caused by debris left behind by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, a periodic comet that takes about 33 years to orbit the Sun. As Earth passes through the debris stream each November, tiny particles collide with our atmosphere and create the Leonids.
The radiant point lies in the constellation Leo the Lion, which gives the shower its name. Leo rises in the eastern sky during the late evening and climbs higher toward morning. However, you don’t need to look directly at Leo. Leonid meteors can appear anywhere across the sky, so a wide, unobstructed view is best.
The Leonids are especially famous for their historic meteor storms. In 1833, 1866, 1966, 1999, 2001, and 2002, unusually dense trails of comet debris produced extraordinary displays. While no major storm is expected in 2026, the shower’s history makes it an exciting annual event for meteor watchers.
How to Observe
You don’t need a telescope or binoculars to enjoy a meteor shower. In fact, your eyes are the best tools for watching the Leonids.
- Find a dark location away from city lights. The darker your surroundings, the more meteors you’ll be able to see.
- Give your eyes at least 20–30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Avoid looking at bright phones or flashlights during this time.
- Watch after midnight, when the Moon has set and the sky is darker.
- Look up and take in as much of the sky as possible. A reclining chair or blanket will make it easier to watch comfortably.
- Be patient and dress warmly. November nights in Colorado can be cold, especially in the hours before sunrise.
Keep Looking Up
The Leonids are a reminder that even tiny pieces of comet debris can create remarkable sights when they meet Earth’s atmosphere. Although 2026 won’t bring a historic meteor storm, the shower offers another opportunity to enjoy the night sky. Settle in under the stars, give your eyes time to adjust, and keep watching. You never know when a bright Leonid will streak across the sky.
