What time do the 2025 Leonids peak? Here’s when to see a meteor shower light up the night sky this weekend

The 2025 Leonid meteor shower is forecast to peak this weekend, lighting up the night sky with up to 15 meteors an hour whizzing by at 44 miles per second, according to Live Science.

The Leonids’ peak is expected to be visible in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres this Sunday, November 16, and into early Monday, November 17, according to the Planetary Society.

Expect prime meteor shower viewing, since the moon is expected to only be 9% full, giving viewers mostly dark skies.

Here’s what to know about seeing the dazzling display.

What is a meteor shower?

Meteor showers, or “shooting stars,” occur as Earth passes through the trail of dusty debris left by a comet, per NASA.

They are usually named after the constellation or star near where the meteors first appear. The Leonids are aptly named after the Leo constellation, and come from debris from the Tempel-Tuttle comet.

When is the best time to see the Leonid meteor shower?

Typically, the best time to see a meteor shower is between midnight and before dawn. For the best viewing times in your area, see timeanddate.com.

If you miss Sunday’s peak event, don’t worry. The Leonids will still be active the rest of the month, until November 30.

Leonid meteor storms are a special treat

About every 33 years, a Leonid meteor shower turns into a meteor storm, dazzling viewers with a treat—1,000 meteors each hour, producing a dazzling light show.

The last Leonid meteor storm occurred in 2002, with the next one forecast for 2031, the Planetary Society reported.

The Leonids are best known for producing meteor storms in 1833, 1866, 1966, 1999, 2001, and 2002, according to the American Meteor Society.