by The Taurid meteor shower is upon us — but unlike most annual displays of "shooting stars," this one has two peak nights falling five days apart.
Known for its fireballs — very bright meteors that appear as flashes while falling through the atmosphere — the Taurid meteor showers are modest, offering fewer than 10 shooting stars per hour on peak nights.
However, November is one of the better months for shooting stars because there are many sporadic meteors, according to the American Meteor Society.
First comes the Southern Taurid meteor shower, which peaks late on Monday, Nov. 6 and early on Tuesday, Nov. 7 — though the shower actually runs from Sept. 23 through Dec. 8.
The following weekend will see the peak of the Northern Taurid meteor shower, which happens overnight on Saturday, Nov. 11 and early on Sunday, Nov. 12.
The Northern Taurids began on Oct. 13 and also end on Dec. 2. You can expect to see a notable increase in fireball activity in early November, according to the American Meteor Society.
Both Taurid meteor showers are named after the constellation Taurus, the bull, which is rising in the sky this fall.
The shower's meteors appear to come from the same region of the night sky as Taurus, though they're not associated with it.
Source
Known for its fireballs — very bright meteors that appear as flashes while falling through the atmosphere — the Taurid meteor showers are modest, offering fewer than 10 shooting stars per hour on peak nights.
However, November is one of the better months for shooting stars because there are many sporadic meteors, according to the American Meteor Society.
First comes the Southern Taurid meteor shower, which peaks late on Monday, Nov. 6 and early on Tuesday, Nov. 7 — though the shower actually runs from Sept. 23 through Dec. 8.
The following weekend will see the peak of the Northern Taurid meteor shower, which happens overnight on Saturday, Nov. 11 and early on Sunday, Nov. 12.
The Northern Taurids began on Oct. 13 and also end on Dec. 2. You can expect to see a notable increase in fireball activity in early November, according to the American Meteor Society.
Both Taurid meteor showers are named after the constellation Taurus, the bull, which is rising in the sky this fall.
The shower's meteors appear to come from the same region of the night sky as Taurus, though they're not associated with it.
Source
