Spectacular Leonids meteor shower in 2025: when and where to watch

The Leonids remain one of the most anticipated November astronomical events. With clear weather and minimal light pollution, observers will be able to see a stream of meteors in the sky. Where and when to observe the Leonids in 2025 is in the Izvestia article.

What is the Leonida Meteor Shower?

The Leonids Meteor Shower is an annual celestial phenomenon associated with the orbit of comet 55P/Tempel—Tuttle. The earth is crossed by the trail of its dust tail. Particles entering the atmosphere at high speed burn up, forming "shooting stars".

Historically, the Leonids have attracted the attention of astronomers and amateurs. In some years, the stream turned into meteor storms with thousands of meteors per hour, whereas in normal seasons it produces dozens of fast and bright meteors per hour. The speed of the particles makes the Leonids one of the fastest meteors, they can reach tens of kilometers per second, leaving behind persistent glowing trails in the sky.

The Leonids got their name from the constellation Leo. Visually, meteor tracks rush from the area of the sky located in this constellation, the so-called radiant. The activity of the stream varies depending on the density of the dust band left by the comet during previous returns, and on which parts of the trail the Earth crosses in a particular year. Scientists monitor these variations to predict possible bursts of activity and warn observatories in advance.

When and where to observe the Leonids in 2025

In 2025, Leonid's activity period officially covers the first and third decades of November, from about November 6 to November 30, and the main peak is forecast on the night of November 17-18. Experts point to an estimated maximum time of activity around 21:00 Moscow time on November 17, but the best observation will be in the dark predawn hours of local time, when the radiant rises high above the horizon. Therefore, it is recommended to observe the Leonids at night on November 16-18, with an emphasis on the predawn time.

Meteor services estimate that, under standard conditions, the stream produces about 10-20 meteors per hour, but the actual observed frequency depends on visibility conditions, light pollution levels, clouds, and moon phases.

In 2025, the lunar background promises to be inconspicuous on the night of the peak, which increases the chances of seeing more meteors. The Leonids are mostly better visible from the Northern Hemisphere. Observers in Russia and Europe will get the most favorable visibility if the sky is clear and there is minimal urban lighting.

Finally, the meteor shower often continues on adjacent nights, so it's worth planning the observation not only for one night — the period of activity lasts several weeks.

How to observe meteors correctly

No special equipment is required to observe the Leonid meteor shower, and a clear sky is sufficient. First of all, it is important to choose a site away from artificial lighting sources. City lights significantly reduce the visibility of weak meteors, so the darker the sky, the more flashes you can see.

The best time to observe is after midnight and before dawn. Radiant Leonid, located in the constellation Leo, rises higher in the morning, when the activity of the stream reaches its maximum. Astronomers recommend setting aside at least an hour: human eyes adapt to the dark in about 20-30 minutes, and only after that you can see most of the sky stream.

For those who want to capture the phenomenon in a photo, experts recommend using a wide-angle lens, a stable tripod and a long shutter speed, without increasing the ISO beyond measure. Shooting in series allows you to subsequently identify the characteristic streaks of light — meteor trails that are not always visible to the naked eye.

Leonid's observation is of interest not only for amateurs, but also for scientific purposes. The data collected by astronomers helps refine dust flow patterns, predict future bursts of activity, and investigate the composition of meteoroids. In 2025, experts expect a moderate but stable flow.