Leonid Meteor Shower Peak
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
The Leonid meteor shower reaches its peak.
Leonid Meteor Shower Peak
The Leonid meteor shower reaches its peak.
What Is a Meteor Shower?
A meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through a stream of dust and debris left behind by a comet or asteroid.
As those small particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up and create streaks of light commonly called shooting stars.
Meteor showers usually appear to radiate from a specific area of the sky, but meteors can appear anywhere overhead.
Why Meteor Shower Peaks Matter
The peak is the period when the meteor shower is expected to produce its highest activity.
A strong meteor shower under dark skies can be one of the easiest and most enjoyable astronomy events to watch without equipment.
Moonlight, clouds, and light pollution can dramatically reduce how many meteors are visible.
How To Watch a Meteor Shower
- Find the darkest sky you can reasonably reach.
- Avoid looking at your phone or bright lights while observing.
- Lie back and watch a wide area of sky instead of staring at one point.
- Allow at least 20 to 30 minutes for your eyes to dark adapt.
- Plan around moonlight, clouds, and the expected peak time.
How To Plan Around This Event
Use this event as a planning marker, then confirm your local weather, cloud cover, Moon conditions, and horizon visibility before observing.
Ephemeris can help you compare this event with your local observing forecast, tonight's visible targets, and your saved telescope rigs.
Common Questions About Leonid Meteor Shower Peak
When does Leonid Meteor Shower Peak occur?
Leonid Meteor Shower Peak is listed for November 18, 2026.
Can I observe this event from my location?
Visibility depends on your location, local weather, horizon, and timing. Check the event visibility notes and compare them with your local forecast.
What equipment should I use?
Recommended equipment for this type of event: Naked eye.