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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe Leonids are November meteors made from debris shed by comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. In 2026, NASA lists the shower as active from November 6 through 30, with its peak night on November 16–17. The meteors are unusually fast, but a typical display can be modest; the spectacular storms in the Leonids’ history are rare exceptions.
When is the Leonid meteor shower in 2026?
NASA lists the Leonids’ 2026 active period as November 6–30, with the peak night falling November 16–17. Those dates describe the 2026 shower, not a fixed date range that applies identically every year. The Leonids recur each November, but the exact peak and viewing conditions vary.
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For a chance to see them, start around midnight local time and choose a clear, dark location away from city and street lights. Weather, local light pollution and your location all affect how many meteors you can spot.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What makes the Leonid meteor shower special?
It comes from a comet with a long orbit
Earth crosses a stream of dust and debris left behind by comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. As particles enter Earth’s atmosphere and disintegrate, they create the streaks we call meteors. NASA’s explanation of meteors describes this general process.
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The parent comet takes about 33 years to orbit the Sun, and its nucleus is about 3.6 kilometers across, according to NASA’s comet profile. Ernst Tempel and Horace Tuttle discovered it independently, in 1865 and 1866, respectively.
Leonids are among the fastest meteors
NASA gives the Leonids’ speed as 69.7 kilometers per second in its fast-facts panel and rounds it to about 71 kilometers per second in explanatory text. Either way, they move exceptionally quickly. A meteor’s speed and brightness do not mean that it is a large object: the visible streak is produced as a small particle interacts with the atmosphere.
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Their radiant is in Leo—but look beyond it
The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Leo, which gives the Leonids their name. That apparent point of origin is useful for identifying the shower, but it is not the only place to watch. NASA advises looking away from the radiant: meteors crossing the wider sky can leave longer-looking streaks from that perspective. Take in as much open sky as possible rather than fixing your gaze on Leo.
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How many Leonids might you see?
Set expectations for an ordinary shower rather than its most dramatic history. NASA says rates under dark skies can be as low as about three meteors per hour. That is an approximate low rate, not a guarantee or a universal ceiling; the number you see depends on conditions and where you are watching.
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In rare years, the Leonids have produced meteor storms. NASA describes the 1966 storm as thousands of meteors per minute for a 15-minute period. Its comet profile identifies 2002 as the last Leonid storm. These are exceptional events, not a dependable payoff every time the comet completes its roughly 33-year orbit. NASA defines a storm as at least 1,000 meteors per hour; the NASA Meteoroid Environment Office provides context on enhanced showers and storms.
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How to watch the Leonids comfortably
- Choose darkness: Go somewhere away from city and street lights, and check that the sky is clear.
- Give your eyes time: Allow less than 30 minutes for dark adaptation, and avoid staring at bright screens while you wait.
- Watch a broad patch of sky: Begin around midnight local time and look across the sky, not only toward Leo. No telescope is required for the basic experience.
- Make the wait comfortable: Bring warm clothing and a sleeping bag or blanket; a lawn chair lets you recline and watch without craning your neck. NASA’s Leonids viewing guidance recommends planning for cold conditions.
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