November 2025 Shooting Stars: Don’t Miss the Leonid Meteor Shower & Northern Taurid Meteor Shower


If you’re looking up at the night sky this month, you’re in for a treat. Two meteor showers are aligning for stargazers around the world: the Northern Taurids and the Leonids. Below is everything you need to know—from the why and how to peak timing—to make the most of this celestial show.

What’s going on

Northern Taurid Meteor Shower

  • The Northern Taurids are active roughly from late October to early December 2025, and their peak is expected November 11–12. Startup News+3EarthSky+3American Meteor Society+3

  • They’re known for slower‑moving meteors (~18 mi/s or ~29 km/s) and a tendency to produce bright fireballs rather than high hourly rates. EarthSky+2Startup News+2

  • According to local news guidance, the best time to view is after midnight until dawn on nights around the peak. Startup News+1

  • Because of the moon’s phase and the nature of the stream, expect modest meteor counts—but the fireballs make up for it. EarthSky+1

Leonid Meteor Shower

  • The Leonids are active from early November through early December 2025, with the predicted peak on November 17 (or the night of Nov 16–17). EarthSky+2Live Science+2

  • These meteors come from the debris of Comet 55P/Tempel‑Tuttle, which orbits the Sun every ~33 years. Planetary Society+1

  • The Leonids are fast (≈44 mi/s or ~70 km/s) and often produce bright streaks and sometimes trails. High Point Scientific+1

  • What makes 2025 special: the moon will be a waning crescent (≈9 % illuminated) and rises late, so the predawn sky will be unusually dark—ideal for meteor‐watching. Live Science+1

  • Best viewing: after midnight, especially closer to dawn when the radiant (in the constellation Leo) rises higher. Sky at Night Magazine+1

Why this is a special year

  • For the Leonids: The almost moonless conditions during the peak window mean less light interference—making even modest meteor activity stand out. Live Science+1

  • For the Northern Taurids: While they usually offer lower meteor‐counts, this year the chances of bright fireballs are improved. Space+1

  • Combined: If you’re willing to go out on two separate windows (Nov 11–12 for Taurids + Nov 16–17 for Leonids), you’ll double your chance of witnessing something impressive.

How, when & where to watch

Viewing Tips

  • Find a dark location away from city lights—light pollution drastically reduces visible meteors. Planetary Society+1

  • Lie on your back or use a reclining chair, feet pointed toward the east (so you face the part of sky where the radiant rises). Almanac

  • Give your eyes ~20‑30 minutes to adapt to the dark. Avoid looking at phone screens or bright lights. Startup News

  • Dress warmly—early mornings in November can be chilly. Patience pays off: meteors often come in bursts. EarthSky+1

  • For the Taurids: Focus on after midnight until dawn, around Nov 11–12. For the Leonids: aim for late night through dawn, especially the early morning hours of Nov 17 (18).

  • Bring something like a hot drink, blanket, maybe a star map app to help identify constellations.

Best Times (in your time zone: Cairo, Egypt – UTC+2)

  • Northern Taurids: Night of Nov 11 → early morning Nov 12. After midnight local time until dawn.

  • Leonids: Night of Nov 16 → early morning Nov 17. Go out after midnight; the best window is ~2 a.m. local time until dawn.

  • Note: The moon for Leonids will be minimal interference in the predawn hours.

What you might see

  • With the Taurids: A relatively low rate of meteors (~5 meteors per hour under ideal conditions) but a higher chance of fireballs—bright meteors with long trails. EarthSky+1

  • With the Leonids: Under dark skies you might see 10–15 meteors per hour. Not storm‐level, but the darkness and speed of the meteors make each one memorable. EarthSky+1

  • You might notice meteors “from” the constellation Leo (for Leonids) or Taurus (for Taurids), but they can appear anywhere in the sky—so keep your gaze broad.

Why you don’t need special gear

  • No telescope or binoculars required. These showers are best viewed with the naked eye, because meteors streak across broad portions of the sky rather than just a small region. Planetary Society

  • A comfortable spot, dark sky and patience are your best tools.

Final word

Whether you’re an avid stargazer or just looking for a reason to step outside and look up, November 2025 offers a prime opportunity. With favourable moon conditions and two meteor showers arriving within a week of each other, now is the time to set aside some early‑morning hours and witness a cosmic show.

📷 Bonus tip: If you have a camera, try a wide‑angle lens on a tripod, set for long exposure (10‑30 seconds), around 3 a.m., pointed east. You might capture streaks of meteor trails.

Enjoy the skies—and clear nights bring big rewards.

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