Catch the 2025 Leonids: Your Guide to Observing the Meteor Shower from the US
The Leonid meteor shower will be active throughout November 2025, peaking with the best viewing opportunities between November 6th and 30th. Though, the most favorable conditions for observing the shower from the United States will be around the peak of activity.
A key factor for triumphant viewing is the lunar phase. Fortunately,in 2025,the Moon will be in a waning phase,only 9% illuminated during the peak Leonid activity. This minimal lunar light won’t considerably interfere with spotting meteors.
under dark sky conditions, observers can expect to see between 10 and 15 meteors per hour. The Leonids are known for their speed, entering the atmosphere at approximately 69.7 kilometers per second, creating bright, though typically short, streaks of light.
No special equipment is needed to enjoy the show; the event is visible to the naked eye. Though,to maximize your chances of seeing the most meteors,the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recommends finding a viewing location far from urban light pollution. Rural areas or open fields will offer the clearest skies.
The Leonids appear to radiate from the constellation Leo, which rises above the eastern horizon around midnight. While focusing on Leo can be helpful, meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. In fact, meteors observed further from the radiant point often display longer trails.
NASA advises observers to lie down and look up to take in as much of the sky as possible. Allow your eyes at least 15-30 minutes to adjust to the darkness, avoiding the use of screens or lights during this time.
The Leonids originate from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. while the shower has historically produced “meteor storms” - exceptionally high rates of meteors – in years like 1833, 1866, 1966, 1999, 2001, and 2002, astronomical projections suggest we won’t experience another storm until around the year 2099. This is due to the 33-year orbital cycle of comet Tempel-Tuttle and the Earth’s passage through varying densities of cometary debris.
