Taurid meteors in 2022: Watch this week!
Posted by
Deborah Byrd
November 2, 2022
Taurid meteors consist of 2 streams, the South Taurids and North Taurids. Both streams radiate from the constellation Taurus the Bull, not far from the bright star Aldebaran and the tiny, misty, dipper-shaped Pleiades. Taurus is high in the sky in the middle of the night now. So the hours around midnight are a good time to watch for Taurid meteors and fireballs. appear to originate from the constellation . In October and November, this constellation is highest in the sky in the middle of the night.
2022 might bring an enhanced number of Taurid fireballs. Especially during the 2-week period centered on November 5, you might see several fireballs each night instead of the normal rate of one every 20 hours.
Predicted peak: The South Taurids’ predicted* peak is November 5, 2022, at 18 UTC. The North Taurids’ predicted* peak is November 12, 2022, at 18 UTC. Neither shower has a very definite peak. Both ramble along in October and November and are especially noticeable from late October into early November, when they overlap.
When to watch: Best around midnight, and probably best from late October into early November. Watch for enhanced rates of fireballs (very bright meteors) for the 2-week period centered on November 5.
Overall duration of shower: The South Taurids run from about September 23 to November 12. North Taurids are active from about October 13 to December 2.
Radiant: Rises in early evening, highest in the sky around midnight. See chart below.
Nearest moon phase: In 2022, new moon falls on October 25. Full moon is November 8. So late October – when the two showers overlap and there’s no moon – might be excellent for the Taurids in 2022. This custom sunrise-set calendar can show you moon rising times for your location. Be sure to check the moon rising time box.
Expected meteors at peak, under ideal conditions: Under dark skies with no moon, both the South and North Taurid meteor showers produce about five meteors per hour (10 total when they overlap). In 2022, watch for fireballs.
Note: Taurid meteors tend to be slow-moving but sometimes very bright. The American Meteor Society has pointed to “a seven-year periodicity” with Taurid fireballs. 2008 and 2015 both produced fireballs, or particularly bright meteors. 2022 might as well. The last Taurid fireball display, in 2015, was really fun! Watch for Taurid fireballs in 2022!
Read more about Taurid fireballs in 2022
Photos and video of 2015 Taurid fireballs here
Thanks to: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/taurid-meteors-all-you-need-to-know/?utm_source=EarthSky+News&utm_campaign=d3807c8fc8-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_02_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c643945d79-d3807c8fc8-393775709&mc_cid=d3807c8fc8&mc_eid=87f7e1dbd6
Posted by
Deborah Byrd
November 2, 2022
Taurid meteors consist of 2 streams, the South Taurids and North Taurids. Both streams radiate from the constellation Taurus the Bull, not far from the bright star Aldebaran and the tiny, misty, dipper-shaped Pleiades. Taurus is high in the sky in the middle of the night now. So the hours around midnight are a good time to watch for Taurid meteors and fireballs. appear to originate from the constellation . In October and November, this constellation is highest in the sky in the middle of the night.
2022 might bring an enhanced number of Taurid fireballs. Especially during the 2-week period centered on November 5, you might see several fireballs each night instead of the normal rate of one every 20 hours.
Predicted peak: The South Taurids’ predicted* peak is November 5, 2022, at 18 UTC. The North Taurids’ predicted* peak is November 12, 2022, at 18 UTC. Neither shower has a very definite peak. Both ramble along in October and November and are especially noticeable from late October into early November, when they overlap.
When to watch: Best around midnight, and probably best from late October into early November. Watch for enhanced rates of fireballs (very bright meteors) for the 2-week period centered on November 5.
Overall duration of shower: The South Taurids run from about September 23 to November 12. North Taurids are active from about October 13 to December 2.
Radiant: Rises in early evening, highest in the sky around midnight. See chart below.
Nearest moon phase: In 2022, new moon falls on October 25. Full moon is November 8. So late October – when the two showers overlap and there’s no moon – might be excellent for the Taurids in 2022. This custom sunrise-set calendar can show you moon rising times for your location. Be sure to check the moon rising time box.
Expected meteors at peak, under ideal conditions: Under dark skies with no moon, both the South and North Taurid meteor showers produce about five meteors per hour (10 total when they overlap). In 2022, watch for fireballs.
Note: Taurid meteors tend to be slow-moving but sometimes very bright. The American Meteor Society has pointed to “a seven-year periodicity” with Taurid fireballs. 2008 and 2015 both produced fireballs, or particularly bright meteors. 2022 might as well. The last Taurid fireball display, in 2015, was really fun! Watch for Taurid fireballs in 2022!
Read more about Taurid fireballs in 2022
Photos and video of 2015 Taurid fireballs here
Thanks to: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/taurid-meteors-all-you-need-to-know/?utm_source=EarthSky+News&utm_campaign=d3807c8fc8-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_02_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c643945d79-d3807c8fc8-393775709&mc_cid=d3807c8fc8&mc_eid=87f7e1dbd6