Leonid Meteor Shower 2026: Peak On November 17–18; Best Time To Watch From Pune And Places Near The City
The Leonid meteor shower will peak on the night of November 17–18, 2026. Here is when to look, what to expect and where to go near Pune for darker skies.
Photo: David Wipf / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
November nights over Pune are usually clear and crisp, which makes this a good month to look up. One thing worth staying awake for is the Leonid meteor shower. It’s active from November 6 to 30 and peaks on the night of Tuesday, November 17, into Wednesday, November 18.
Under dark skies you can expect up to about 15 meteors an hour at the peak. The moon will be a little over half full and should set around 11 pm, so the hours after that will be the best.
What you’re actually seeing
Every November, Earth passes through a trail of dust left behind by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Those tiny particles hit the atmosphere at around 71 km per second and burn up, and that’s the streak we call a shooting star. Leonids are some of the fastest meteors of the year, and now and then one leaves a glowing trail that hangs in the sky for a second or two.
The Leonids are famous for “storms” in certain years, when people have seen thousands of meteors an hour. No such outburst is expected in 2026, so think of it as a steady, modest show rather than fireworks.
When to look
Leo, the constellation the meteors appear to come from, rises in the east late at night. That means the rate picks up in the early morning, roughly from 2 am until dawn starts to break.
You don’t need a telescope or binoculars. Lie back, give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark, and take in a wide part of the sky instead of staring at Leo. Keep your phone away; even a quick look at the screen resets your night vision.
Where to go near Pune
City lights wash out the fainter meteors, so it’s worth driving out. Stargazing groups often head to the Temghar backwaters, the Mulshi and Tamhini stretch, and open areas near Bhimashankar and Junnar. Pick a safe spot, tell someone where you’re going, and carry warm clothes; the ghats get properly cold on November nights.
Some camping organisers run stargazing nights this month. Have a look at our events in Pune in November 2026 list.
Also read: ISRO’s NVS-03 launch on October 30.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Leonid meteor shower in 2026?
The Leonids are active from November 6 to 30, 2026, and peak on the night of November 17–18.
Can I see the Leonid meteor shower from Pune?
Yes. It is visible from Pune, but you will see more meteors from a dark spot outside the city after the moon sets around 11 pm.
How many meteors will I see?
Under dark skies you can expect up to about 15 meteors an hour at the peak. Fewer will be visible from inside the city.
