Topline
A major meteor shower is forecast to peak Monday and Tuesday night, according to the American Meteor Society, giving skygazers their second chance this month to see the annual Taurid meteor shower.
This 2014 image provided by NASA shows a Taurid fireball recorded at the NASA All Sky Fireball … [+]
Key Facts
The Northern Taurids, which became active last month, will peak Monday and Tuesday night this week as the Earth intersects with debris left by comet Encke—a periodic comet that orbits the sun once every 3.3 years.
Following its peak, the Northern Taurids will remain active until Dec. 2.
The Northern Taurids are visible nearly anywhere in the world with the exception of Antarctica, though NASA has said Taurids produce only about five meteors per hour.
Unfortunately for those hoping to see the meteors, the moon will be 79% full Monday night and become increasingly brighter this week ahead of Friday’s full moon, according to the American Meteor Society, brightening skies and reducing visibility of the Northern Taurids.
However, working in the watchers’ favor during the peak on Monday and Tuesday night is Taurid meteors’ large size, their brightness and their ability to move deeper into Earth’s atmosphere before burning up compared to other meteor showers, according to NASA.
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What’s The Best Way To See The Meteor Shower?
People trying to get a glimpse at the meteors should do so after midnight from areas with as little light pollution as possible. NASA advises viewers to look at the sky while lying down and waiting at least 30 minutes for their eyes to adjust to the darkness. The meteors should appear near the Taurus constellation in the northeastern sky.
Key Background
The Northern Taurids will materialize a little more than a week after the Southern Taurids peaked early this month. Both showers have been called the “Taurid Swarm” by NASA, which has noted most years the astrological events are weak. The Taurid showers last from September to December, though they usually peak in late October and early November. The Taurids are a part of a larger group of meteor showers expected to appear in the coming months that include Leonids (Nov. 18), Geminids (Dec. 13), Ursids (Dec. 22) and Quadrantids (Jan. 2).
Further Reading
A ‘Halloween Fireball’ Meteor Shower Will Peak This Weekend—Here’s How To Watch (Forbes)