Leonid meteor shower: How to watch the celestial spectacle
The Leonid meteor shower is set to peak overnight on November 16-17, with the best viewing just before dawn on November 18 across North America.
Look for meteors streaking from Leo's Sickle asterism, which climbs higher after midnight and is highest near dawn.
How to catch the show
Find a dark, open spot and let your eyes adjust for about 30 minutes.
Instead of focusing right on Leo, scan the sky above—you'll spot more meteors and longer trails that way.
The Leonids are fast, leaving bright streaks at 70km per second.
No telescope needed—just bring yourself and maybe a friend.
What makes the Leonids special?
These meteors come from debris left by comet Tempel-Tuttle, which swings by every 33 years or so.
This year's display is from older dust trails, but the comet will return in 2031, and the next truly spectacular Leonid displays are not expected until later in the 2030s.