The Taurid meteor showers peak a week apart in November

Two sister meteor showers are already flashing crossed nighttime skies — and will highest a week apart

WASHINGTON -- Two sister meteor showers are already flashing crossed nighttime skies — and will highest a week apart.

The Southern Taurids will scope their zenith early Tuesday greeting and nan Northern Taurids connected Nov. 12.

While the 2 showers only nutrient astir 5 visible meteors per hr nether perfect viewing conditions, they are often very agleam fireballs, said Sally Brummel, planetarium head astatine nan University of Minnesota’s Bell Museum.

“What’s notable is that they’re apt to nutrient brighter and longer-lasting meteors than immoderate different showers, moreover if location aren’t arsenic many” astatine a time, she said.

The Southern Taurids will highest connected an evening pinch only a slim crescent satellite conscionable 11% full. The Northern Taurids whitethorn beryllium much obstructed by moonlight since nan satellite will beryllium 79% full.

Viewing of some showers will past into December. Here’s what to cognize astir nan Taurids and different meteor showers.

Multiple meteor showers hap annually and you don’t request typical instrumentality to spot them.

Most meteor showers originate from nan debris of comets. Both showers stock nan aforesaid genitor root — originating from nan debris of comet Encke.

When rocks from abstraction participate Earth’s atmosphere, nan guidance from nan aerial makes them very hot. This causes nan aerial to glow astir them and concisely leaves a fiery tail down them — nan extremity of a “shooting star.”

The glowing pockets of aerial astir fast-moving abstraction rocks, ranging from nan size of a particulate particle to a boulder, whitethorn beryllium visible successful nan nighttime sky.

The 2 showers stock akin names because, erstwhile seen successful nan nighttime sky, they look to originate from different points successful nan constellation Taurus.

Meteor showers are usually astir visible betwixt midnight and predawn hours.

It’s easier to spot shooting stars nether acheronian skies, distant from metropolis lights. Meteor showers besides look brightest connected cloudless nights erstwhile nan satellite wanes smallest.

And your eyes will amended adapted to seeing meteors if you aren’t checking your phone.

Not agelong aft nan Taurids, nan adjacent large meteor shower, nan Leonids, will highest connected nan early greeting of Nov. 17.

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