From 1799 to 2026: Florida’s Leonid Meteor Shower Returns November 17–18
On November 12, 1799, the night sky over the Florida Keys became the setting for one of North America's earliest documented meteor showers.
Around 2 a.m., American astronomer and surveyor Andrew Ellicott, aboard a ship off the coast, witnessed an extraordinary display of shooting stars. The event, now recognized as a Leonid meteor storm, was also observed across parts of the Caribbean and the Americas. Today, scientists know that the Leonids occur when Earth passes through debris left by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun approximately every 33 years.
Andrew Ellicott (1754–1820) was one of America's leading early surveyors and astronomers. He helped establish the boundaries of Washington, D.C., and surveyed portions of the border between the United States and Spanish Florida. His 1799 observation occurred while he was returning from surveying work along the southern frontier. At a time when meteor showers were not yet fully understood, his detailed account helped document the scale and intensity of the phenomenon.
The Leonids would later become an important subject of astronomical research, particularly after the spectacular meteor storm of 1833.
Remarkably, the same celestial phenomenon Ellicott witnessed more than 225 years ago is about to return to Florida's skies.
The annual Leonid meteor shower is expected to reach its peak around November 17–18, 2026, offering South Florida residents an opportunity to observe a smaller version of the spectacle he recorded. Under ideal conditions, viewers may see up to 15 meteors per hour, although actual numbers will vary.
For the best chance of spotting them, find a safe, dark location away from Miami's city lights, preferably with an unobstructed view of the sky. Plan to watch between midnight and dawn, allow your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the darkness, and avoid looking at your phone. No telescope or binoculars are necessary.
Check the weather forecast before heading out.