Northern Taurids: Meteor showers can produce a fireball display

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The Taurid meteor shower isn’t quite over, and one of its streams is set to peak this weekend. When the northern Taurids, Annual slight showeris at its most active, and skygazers may see a bright meteor or two streaking across the night sky.

the Southern Trades Peaking on November 5, the dynamic duo has been seen overlapping in the night sky since mid-October. North Taurus is expected to peak at about 7:21 PM ET on Sunday, according to EarthSky.

It originates from the so-called parent comet IncTaurid showers typically produce rates as low as five meteors per hour. But because comet debris tends to be large—up to 1 meter (3 feet) in diameter—Taurus meteors appear brighter as they burn through the atmosphere, Bill Cook, head of NASA’s Office of Meteor Environment, told CNN.

Some of the huge meteors usually expected from those born under the sign of Taurus are brighter than the planet Venus, which is the second brightest celestial body in the night sky after the moon, and are classified as fireballs. According to NASA.

“If I’m going outside to see bullfinches, I’ll be prepared for a long observing session most of the night,” Cook said. “I’ll get as much rest as possible — maybe bring a sleeping bag or cot outside, dress appropriately — and be prepared to spend hours outside.”

Peak activity in the northern Taurids will extend over a few nights before and after Sunday, According to the American Meteor Society. Local weather conditions permitting, the best time to spot the meteor will be after midnight in any time zone. Cook said that the meteor shower appears to originate from the radiant constellation Taurus, and will be at its highest levels in the sky during the early morning hours.

The moon will be in the new moon phase, with only 2% illumination. According to the American Meteor SocietyIt will provide ideal viewing conditions as its brightness will not interfere with seeing the meteor.

While rates of Taurids are low this year,… American Meteor Society He pointed out that astronomers have observed an increase in the activity of southern eruptions every three or seven years that could produce double the rates. Scientists expect the next chance to see the outburst — known as a “Taurid swarm” — will be in 2025, Cook said.

The North Taurids are thought to be debris from several asteroids that were once part of Comet Encke but broke up with other space rocks Tens of thousands of years agoaccording to Cook.

When these celestial bodies, known as Enki complexDuring their orbital journey around the Sun, they leave a trail of debris that appears as Taurid meteor showers when Earth’s orbit intersects their path.

Sometimes, meteorites that are Larger than usualLike Taurids, they can make their way through Earth’s atmosphere and survive intact. When meteorites fall to Earth, they are called meteorites.

“Most meteorites burn above your head and do not reach the Earth. Larger meteorites — a meter in size, the size of a boulder — can break up and scatter meteorites on the Earth,” Cook said, adding that they would be small and unlikely to cause any damage. Approximately 48.5 tons (44,000 kg) of this space debris lands on Earth every day. NASA estimates.

“By the time the meteorite hits the Earth, it will be cold,” Cook said. “They don’t start fires – it will be cold; You can pick it up.”

Northern eruption meteors are expected to be seen burning in the sky until the showers end on December 2, according to the European Space Agency. American Meteor Society. If you’re curious to see more, here are the remaining meteor showers that will peak in 2023:

● Leonids: November 17-18

● Gemini: December 13-14

● Ursids: December 21-22

Full moon

There are two moons remaining in 2023, According to the Farmers’ Almanac:

● November 27: Beaver Moon

● December 26: Cold Moon