Leonid Meteor Shower to Peak Over Piscataway Soon

The annual Leonid meteor shower is set to reach its peak on November 16-17, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Space

Multiple bright meteor streaks arch across a dark, star-filled night sky above the silhouettes of suburban trees. — The Leonid meteor shower is expected to peak over Piscataway on November 16-17, 2026, offering observers a rare view of comet debris. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is now a good time for you to go outside for local night sky viewing?

The Leonid meteor shower will reach its annual peak on the night of November 16-17, 2026. This celestial event features debris from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle and is part of a broader active period lasting from November 6 to November 30.

Why it matters

The shower offers a chance to observe debris fields that trace back to a comet with a 33-year orbital cycle. Observing these events provides data on the structure of cometary debris streams within our solar system.

The Leonids travel at 44 miles per second, with the moon reaching 39% illumination during the peak. This follows the Northern Taurids, which peak on November 11-12 under a 4% illuminated crescent moon.

The players

Rutgers University

This major public research university in New Jersey operates an observatory for astronomical study and community outreach.

The details

Observers in Piscataway should lie flat with their feet pointed toward the east for the best visibility of the shower. Rutgers University is hosting public viewing nights at its observatory on the Busch Campus, located in the Serin Physics Laboratories.

November 6-30, 2026: Leonid meteor shower active period.
November 11-12, 2026: Northern Taurids meteor shower peak.
November 12, 2026: Rutgers observatory public viewing night.
November 16-17, 2026: Leonid meteor shower peak.
November 19, 2026: Rutgers observatory public viewing night.

The Big Picture

The current shower is a minor annual event relative to the peak density years driven by the 33-year orbital cycle of comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. This observation helps astronomers refine models of how gravitational forces evolve debris streams over long timescales.

Local residents wishing to attend the university observatory sessions must obtain an electronic parking permit in advance. Proper positioning, with feet oriented toward the east, is recommended to maximize the field of view for spotting meteors.

The takeaway

Amateur astronomers can maximize their viewing experience by choosing a dark location and allowing sufficient time for their eyes to adapt to the night sky. While peak meteor counts remain modest this year, the event remains an accessible opportunity to study planetary debris.