The Leonids
Next peak: . The Moon will be 55% lit (waxing gibbous).
- Active
- 11/06 to 11/30 (month/day)
- Peak rate (ZHR)
- 15 per hour
- Radiant
- RA 152°, Dec +22°
- Speed
- 71 km/s (very fast)
- Peak solar longitude
- 235.27°
- Parent body
- comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle
About the Leonids
The Leonids are the fastest of the major showers. In most years they are modest, but they have produced the most spectacular meteor storms on record, notably in 1833 and 1966, and strong displays around 1999-2002. These storms follow the 33-year orbit of their parent comet. The radiant lies in the 'sickle' of Leo.
When and where to look. After midnight, when Leo has risen in the east; best before dawn.
Best viewing on the peak night
| City | Night of | Best time (local) | Radiant height | Rough rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | Tue 17 Nov | 60° | up to ~13/h | |
| New York | Tue 17 Nov | 69° | up to ~14/h | |
| Los Angeles | Tue 17 Nov | 75° | up to ~14/h | |
| Singapore | Tue 17 Nov | 61° | up to ~13/h | |
| Sydney | Tue 17 Nov | 22° | up to ~6/h | |
| Cape Town | Tue 17 Nov | 23° | up to ~6/h |
Rough rate = ZHR × sine of the radiant altitude, at the darkest hour with the radiant highest. Light pollution and moonlight reduce it further.
Peak dates by year
| Year | Peak (UTC) | Moon |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6% | |
| 2026 | 55% | |
| 2027 | 80% | |
| 2028 | 1% |
Computed as the moment the Sun reaches ecliptic longitude 235.27° (equinox J2000), the peak position in the IMO working list.
