Taurid Meteor Shower
With the peak of the Orionid meteor shower now behind us, the next shower of Cometary debris to grace our skies are the “Southern Taurids”.
This meteor shower, along with its cousin the the “Northern Taurids” are the leftover fragments from the passage of Comet 2p Encke.
The first Maximum is on the 5th of November (Southern Taurids) with the second Maximum following on the 12th of November.
The theoretical maximum number or ZHR “Zenith Hourly Rate” is about 5/hr
Despite the scarcity in numbers they are notable for their comparatively slow speed, brightness & color, with some of them being classed as “Fireballs”.
You will know a fireball when you see one, it will be as if someone has let off a flare that is shooting across the sky at great speed.
Certainly worth watching out for if you are out under the night sky after 9 pm throughout November, as the full range of this shower extends from the 25th of September through to the 30th of November.
Might be a good to watch for as you are out looking for Uranus & Neptune, the subject of my next article !
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posted by NT Stargazer @ 7:33 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I think I saw one this morning. It was around 3am or so, and I happened to be looking out the window, when this bright object moved across the sky towards the ground. I didn't hear any sound. It was bright white, flashing as if burning up, and there was a slight red color at the bottom (though I didn't have my glasses on so I cold be mistaken). I didn't know what it was because meteor showers are across the sky, dim, and last only a second, while this was close and lasted about 3 seconds (going from my field of vision - roof to horizon). I live near San Francisco and I saw it in the North.
Hi Kory
Sounds like you saw a "Bolide" or fireball as it is otherwise known.
To determine if it was a Taurid, trace it back from the direction it came & if it is from the region of Taurus. I reckon you have yourself a Taurid !
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Cheers
Ian
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