The Leonid Meteor Shower Returns This November

Skywatchers crossed Spain will person a striking celestial arena to look guardant to this autumn, arsenic nan Leonid meteor ablution returns to nan nighttime skies this November. Known for producing immoderate of nan fastest and brightest meteors of nan year, nan Leonids person a estimation for melodramatic displays and historical meteor storms.

While this twelvemonth is not expected to nutrient storm-level activity, astronomers opportunity conditions will beryllium particularly favourable for viewing, acknowledgment to acheronian skies, a late-rising Moon, and a twinkling that climbs precocious successful nan early greeting hours. For galore observers, this could beryllium 1 of nan astir rewarding stargazing opportunities of nan year.

When and Where to Watch

Peak visibility crossed Spain successful November 2025

The Leonids will beryllium progressive from 6 to 30 November, pinch nan highest occurring during nan nighttime of 16 to 17 November. The champion clip to observe nan show will beryllium betwixt 02:00 and 06:00 connected nan greeting of nan 17th, erstwhile nan constellation Leo has risen and nan twinkling is astatine its highest point.

A important advantage this twelvemonth is nan very debased Moon illumination, astatine astir 9%, meaning nan entity will beryllium overmuch darker than successful galore erstwhile years. Rural areas, nationalist parks, coastal viewpoints, and mountainous regions, specified arsenic nan Canary Islands, nan Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, and nan Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, will connection nan clearest views. Urban observers whitethorn still drawback nan brighter streaks, though aggregate meteors are champion seen acold from thoroughfare and building lights.

Why nan Leonids Are Notable

A meteor ablution pinch a melodramatic legacy

The Leonids are remembered for respective bonzer meteor storms, astir notably successful 1833 and 1966, erstwhile thousands of meteors per infinitesimal were reported. Such uncommon events hap only erstwhile Earth passes done highly dense regions of cometary debris.

Even successful non-storm years, the Leonids guidelines retired because of their speed, travelling astatine astir 70 kilometres per second. This causes them to pain intensely agleam arsenic they participate Earth’s atmosphere, often leaving glowing trails that linger for a infinitesimal earlier fading.

Before you caput out:

• Peak viewing: Night of 16–17 November 2025
• Best time: 02:00–06:00 crossed Spain
• Moon illumination: Very debased (~9%) — perfect dark-sky conditions
• Where to watch: Rural, coastal, aliases mountainous areas distant from ray pollution
• Equipment: No scope needed — position pinch nan naked eye

How to Observe

Practical viewing advice

Choose a wide, unfastened location pinch minimal artificial light. Allow 20–30 minutes for your eyes to accommodate to nan darkness, and debar looking astatine telephone screens during observation. Meteor showers often travel successful bursts, truthful remaining extracurricular for astatine slightest an hr increases nan likelihood of seeing aggregate meteors. Warm layers, a reclining chair and a basking portion will thief make nan early-morning hold much comfortable.

A item for autumn stargazing

While not expected to nutrient a meteor storm, nan favourable acheronian skies of November propose that this year’s Leonids could present a vivid and memorable show. For astronomers and casual night-sky watchers alike, it promises a rewarding logic to look upward earlier dawn.