This Rare 'Swarm Year' Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight-and You Won't See Another Like It Until 2032
Briefly

This Rare 'Swarm Year' Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight-and You Won't See Another Like It Until 2032
"The Southern Taurid meteor shower is peaking overnight between Nov. 4 to Nov. 5. The Taurids are active annually, starting in September and ending in November. They're known for comprising a particularly high number of brighter-than-average meteors, known as fireballs. This is one of the shower's "swarm years," when Earth passes through an area of particularly large debris from the meteors' parent comet, 2P/Encke."
"However, the fireballs will be sharing the sky with the Super Beaver Moon-the biggest and brightest of the year-rising on Nov. 5. The brighter-than-usual lunar activity will likely wash out all but the most luminescent Taurids. The yearly autumnal meteor shower includes both the Southern and Northern Taurids, but only the Southern faction will be peaking this week. The Northern Taurid's will be most active on Nov. 11 into Nov. 12 and last until Dec. 12."
The Southern Taurid meteor shower peaks overnight between Nov. 4 and Nov. 5, with activity annually from September through November. The shower produces a high number of brighter-than-average meteors called fireballs. This year is a swarm year when Earth passes through dense debris from comet 2P/Encke, potentially doubling visible meteors to about 10 per hour under ideal conditions. The Super Beaver Moon on Nov. 5 will likely wash out most Taurids except the brightest. The Northern Taurids peak Nov. 11–12 and continue until Dec. 12, offering a darker viewing window. Observers should seek dark locations, allow 30 minutes for eyes to adjust, and look about 40 degrees above Taurus between midnight and 5 a.m. The next Southern Taurid swarm is expected in November 2032.
#southern-taurids #fireballs #meteor-observation #moonlight-interference
Read at Travel + Leisure
Unable to calculate read time
[
|
]