The Leonids (LEO) are active Nov 6 – Nov 30 and peak around November 17, 2026, with a zenithal hourly rate of about 15 under ideal skies. They come from comet 55P/Tempel–Tuttle, hit the atmosphere at 71 km/s, and are best seen the hours before dawn. The moon will be about 50% illuminated at the peak.
Peak
Nov 17
2026
ZHR
15
meteors/hour, ideal sky
Moon at peak
50%
First Quarter
Radiant
RA 152°
Dec +22°
Leonids 2026: best time and expected rate by state
| State | Best time (local) | Radiant altitude | Est. rate/hour (dark sky) | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4:40 AM | 67° | 14 | 51% |
| Alaska | 6:26 AM | 51° | 12 | 53% |
| Arizona | 5:34 AM | 69° | 14 | 51% |
| Arkansas | 5:19 AM | 69° | 14 | 51% |
| California | 5:05 AM | 67° | 14 | 52% |
| Colorado | 5:10 AM | 66° | 14 | 51% |
| Connecticut | 4:53 AM | 64° | 13 | 50% |
| Delaware | 5:06 AM | 66° | 14 | 50% |
| District of Columbia | 5:12 AM | 66° | 14 | 50% |
| Florida | 5:27 AM | 70° | 14 | 51% |
| Georgia | 5:43 AM | 69° | 14 | 51% |
| Hawaii | 5:18 AM | 69° | 14 | 53% |
| Idaho | 5:54 AM | 64° | 13 | 52% |
| Illinois | 4:59 AM | 65° | 14 | 51% |
| Indiana | 5:50 AM | 65° | 14 | 51% |
| Iowa | 5:14 AM | 64° | 13 | 51% |
| Kansas | 5:31 AM | 66° | 14 | 51% |
| Kentucky | 5:42 AM | 67° | 14 | 51% |
| Louisiana | 5:03 AM | 69° | 14 | 51% |
| Maine | 4:51 AM | 63° | 13 | 50% |
| Maryland | 5:10 AM | 66° | 14 | 50% |
| Massachusetts | 5:01 AM | 65° | 14 | 50% |
| Michigan | 5:59 AM | 62° | 13 | 51% |
| Minnesota | 5:25 AM | 61° | 13 | 51% |
| Mississippi | 4:52 AM | 68° | 14 | 51% |
| Missouri | 5:12 AM | 67° | 14 | 51% |
| Montana | 5:45 AM | 60° | 13 | 52% |
| Nebraska | 5:42 AM | 64° | 13 | 51% |
| Nevada | 4:48 AM | 66° | 14 | 52% |
| New Hampshire | 5:01 AM | 64° | 13 | 50% |
| New Jersey | 5:01 AM | 65° | 14 | 50% |
| New Mexico | 5:14 AM | 69° | 14 | 51% |
| New York | 5:13 AM | 65° | 14 | 50% |
| North Carolina | 5:35 AM | 69° | 14 | 51% |
| North Dakota | 5:52 AM | 61° | 13 | 51% |
| Ohio | 5:33 AM | 65° | 14 | 51% |
| Oklahoma | 5:35 AM | 69° | 14 | 51% |
| Oregon | 5:23 AM | 64° | 13 | 52% |
| Pennsylvania | 5:10 AM | 65° | 14 | 50% |
| Rhode Island | 4:47 AM | 64° | 13 | 50% |
| South Carolina | 5:17 AM | 67° | 14 | 50% |
| South Dakota | 5:08 AM | 64° | 13 | 51% |
| Tennessee | 4:49 AM | 69° | 14 | 51% |
| Texas | 5:30 AM | 69° | 14 | 51% |
| Utah | 5:28 AM | 66° | 14 | 51% |
| Vermont | 5:06 AM | 64° | 13 | 50% |
| Virginia | 5:20 AM | 67° | 14 | 51% |
| Washington | 5:18 AM | 61° | 13 | 52% |
| West Virginia | 5:26 AM | 66° | 14 | 51% |
| Wisconsin | 5:11 AM | 63° | 13 | 51% |
| Wyoming | 5:37 AM | 63° | 13 | 51% |
Computed for each state's central location on the peak night. Rate = ZHR × sin(radiant altitude); light pollution and haze reduce it further.
How to photograph a meteor shower
- Use your widest fast lens (14–24 mm, f/1.4–2.8) and point it about 45–60° away from the radiant, where meteors leave longer trails.
- Shoot continuously with an intervalometer: 10–25 s exposures at ISO 1600–6400 for as long as the batteries last.
- Bright meteors are rare — expect a handful of keepers from hundreds of frames, then composite them.
- Dew forms quickly on clear nights; a lens heater band saves the session.
- Choose a dark location from the state pages below and arrive before astronomical dusk to set up.
FAQ
When do the Leonids peak in 2026?
Around November 17, 2026; activity runs Nov 6 – Nov 30.
What time is best to watch the Leonids?
The hours before dawn, when the radiant is highest and the sky is darkest.
Will the moon interfere with the Leonids in 2026?
The moon is about 50% lit at the peak. Plan to shoot when the moon is down or keep it behind you.