What Is the November Meteor Shower
The November meteor shower is the Leonid meteor shower, which peaks when Earth passes through debris left by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. The radiant point sits in the constellation Leo, and the shower typically produces 15 meteors per hour under clear, dark skies. The International Meteor Organization publishes annual peak forecasts based on orbital models and historical observations International Meteor Organization.
NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office tracks Leonid activity and notes that the shower's intensity varies in roughly 33-year cycles tied to the comet's return. The next major outburst is not expected near the current cycle, but moderate rates remain possible during peak nights. The shower is classified as a moderate annual event with occasional bursts of bright fireballs NASA.
When and Where to Watch the November Meteor Shower
The Leonid shower is usually active from November 6 to 30, with peak activity concentrated around the night of November 17 into the early morning of November 18. Observers in the Northern Hemisphere see the best rates after midnight, when Leo climbs higher in the eastern sky. The shower is visible from both hemispheres, but northern latitudes offer higher radiant elevation and longer viewing windows Time and Date.
Dark-sky locations away from city lights provide the best conditions, and the waning crescent moon this year causes minimal interference during the peak. The American Meteor Society recommends lying on your back facing east and letting your eyes adjust for about 20 minutes. Under ideal conditions, viewers can expect 10 to 15 meteors per hour, with occasional bright streaks American Meteor Society.
How to Photograph and Record the November Meteor Shower
Photographers use a tripod, wide-angle lens, and manual settings to capture Leonid meteors. A typical setup includes a 15 to 30 second exposure at ISO 1600 to 3200 and an aperture of f/2.8 or wider. The radiant lies in Leo, but meteors appear across the sky, so framing a wide portion of the sky increases the chance of capturing streaks.
Smartphone astrophotography apps can predict the shower's peak and help plan shooting times. Long-exposure video recording also works for capturing multiple meteors in a single session. The Planetary Society provides guides on meteor photography and equipment settings for beginners Planetary Society.