You Might See a Fireball in the Sky This Week Thanks to the Taurid Meteor Showers
Between a "ring of fire" solar eclipse, a surprise comet, and a rare blue moon, this year has been full of incredible celestial events. This week, you'll have another reason to look up at the sky because the Taurid meteor showers could bring fireballs, which is an astronomical term for really bright meteors.
What Are the Taurids?
Split into the Northern Taurids and the Southern Taurids, the Taurids are created by a stream of debris left by Comet Encke entering the Earth's atmosphere, according to Space.com. Taurid debris streams contain larger meteors than others and they possess a lot of energy. So while they don't have a high number of meteors (aka shooting stars), the North and South Taurid meteor showers do have a high percentage of fireballs.
When Do the Taurids Peak?
The Taurids started appearing in the night sky during late October, and they'll continue to light up the sky through November 27, Space.com reports. Typically, they peak from November 5 through November 12.
What's the Best Way to See the Taurids?
You should be able to see the Taurids from late in the night until early dawn, according to EarthSky. In particular, the prime time to view them is just after midnight. As with most astronomical events, the best way to catch the Taurids is with clear skies and by staking out a spot far away from light pollution. But since fireballs are so bright, you still might be able to see them even if you can't get away from city light.
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