Leonids 2026: night of November 17/18 – when and where to watch?
The Leonids entered the history of astronomy thanks to spectacular meteor storms, during which literally thousands of meteors per hour fell in 1833 and 1966. In a typical year their activity is much more modest, but the shower still attracts great interest because of its history and fast, bright meteors.
Also see the meteor shower calendar and the 2026 astronomical events calendar.
Meteor shower calendar 2026
Compare peak dates, shower activity, Moon conditions and the best observing nights.
View meteor calendar
Astronomical events calendar 2026
Check the most important sky events month by month and plan your observations in advance.
View astronomical events calendarLeonids 2026 – key facts
Leonids 2026 — key facts at a glance
The table below summarizes the key information you need to plan your observations: date, conditions, location and practical preparation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
When are the Leonids in 2026?
The Leonids are active in November, and their regular peak in 2026 falls on the night of November 17/18. According to the IMO calendar, the nodal maximum will occur on November 17 at 23:45 UT, which is about 00:45 CET on November 18 in Poland. The shower has a relatively narrow peak compared with some other autumn showers.
Where should you look for the Leonids?
The radiant lies in the constellation Leo, best visible after midnight and toward dawn. Leonid meteors are among the fastest of all showers — they enter the atmosphere at about 71 km/s, which means they often leave distinctive bright trails.
Will the Moon interfere in 2026?
In 2026, the Moon reaches first quarter on November 17 but sets before the regular Leonid peak. In Warsaw, moonset is around 22:58, while the regular shower peak is around 00:45 CET on November 18. As a result, moonlight should not significantly interfere with observations after midnight.
What are the Leonids and where do they come from?
The Leonids originate from particles left by comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun about once every 33 years. The comet’s returns toward the Sun are associated with the historic meteor storms of 1833, 1866, 1966, 1999 and 2001 — when Earth passed through a dense, freshly deposited stream of material.
How to prepare for the Leonids in 10 minutes
- Bring very warm clothing — November nights can be freezing.
- Plan to observe after midnight, when Leo is higher above the horizon.
- Keep in mind that every few decades the shower can surprise observers with much higher activity.
- Find a site with a wide view of the eastern sky.
- Check cloud cover in the live storm and precipitation radar.
How to photograph the Leonids
Because the meteors are so fast, use a shorter individual exposure time so the trails do not blur excessively. A tripod, wide-angle lens and a series of many frames are the basics. More tips are available in the guide on how to photograph the night sky and stars.
NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY
How to photograph the night sky and meteors?
Learn camera settings, lens choice, manual focusing and how to work with a series of multiple exposures.
November is also a good month for observing the northern lights — check the northern lights radar.
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Northern lights radar
Check current space weather parameters, aurora forecasts and conditions for selected locations.
Frequently asked questions about the Leonids
When are the Leonids in 2026?
The regular peak falls on the night of November 17/18, 2026, around 00:45 CET on November 18 in Poland (23:45 UT on November 17).
How many meteors can you see during the Leonids?
In a typical year, the ZHR is about 15 meteors per hour, although the shower is known for historic storms reaching thousands of meteors per hour.
Where do the Leonids come from?
Their source is comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun about once every 33 years.
Why do the Leonids sometimes produce a meteor storm?
When Earth passes through a freshly deposited, dense part of the comet’s stream (near the comet’s passage close to the Sun), activity can rise sharply.
How fast are Leonid meteors?
They are among the fastest meteors — entering the atmosphere at about 71 km/s.
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Read next: more meteor showers and tools
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