Leonid meteor

astronomy

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

The Leonid meteor shower occurs annually around November 17th. It is known for its potential to produce spectacular displays, with thousands of meteors visible per hour during rare, dramatic events. These showers happen when Earth passes through streams of debris left behind by comets. The Leonid shower is associated with Comet Tempel-Tuttle, and its intensity can increase significantly every 33 to 34 years, coinciding with the comet's orbital period. Over longer periods, gravitational forces disperse these meteoroids, making the showers less predictable.12

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meteor and meteoroid
Meteor showers
The Leonid meteor shower represents a recently formed meteor stream. This shower, though it occurs every year, tends to increase greatly in visual strength every 33 or 34 years, which is the orbital period of the parent comet, Tempel-Tuttle. Such behaviour results from the fact that…
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The Leonid meteor shower represents a recently formed meteor stream. This shower, though it occurs every year, tends to increase greatly in visual strength every 33 or 34 years, which is the orbital period of the parent comet, Tempel-Tuttle. Such behaviour results from the fact that…
Read More

Leo
…November meteor shower called the Leonids has its radiant, or point of apparent origin, in Leo. Many of the stars in Leo form an asterism called the Sickle.
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…November meteor shower called the Leonids has its radiant, or point of apparent origin, in Leo. Many of the stars in Leo form an asterism called the Sickle.
Read More