Add StudioX as a preferred source on GoogleMetro Vancouver stargazers have several meteor showers to look forward to in November, including a Southern Taurids peak on Nov. 4 to 5 that is known for producing bright “fireballs,” according to Vancouver Is Awesome.
Southern and Northern Taurids
The Orionid meteor shower peaked on Oct. 25. Of the three showers active in October, the Northern Taurids are the last to reach their peak, on Nov. 12. They will keep producing shooting stars until about Dec. 10.
The Southern Taurids are also active. This shower lasts about two months and has a double peak. The first peak came in October, and the second falls on Nov. 4 to 5.
The peak is not especially busy, with around 10 shooting stars an hour. It is better known for fireballs, which NASA describes as significantly brighter meteors with larger explosions of light and colour that can last longer than an average meteor streak.
What makes a fireball different
The American Meteorological Society says fireballs are as bright as the planet Venus in the morning or evening sky. Some observers report vivid colours because the brightness is great enough to fall well within the range of human colour vision. Very rarely, people also report hearing sonic booms and electrophonic sounds.
These large meteors also move more slowly than others. Livescience.com reports that the shower’s meteors hit Earth’s atmosphere at about 27 kilometres per second. That means they can be visible longer than most meteors and leave glowing trails.
The Leonids: an astronomer’s pick
Rosanna Tilbrook, an astronomer at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, told Vancouver Is Awesome that the best shower of the month is neither of the Taurids. “The best November meteor shower is the Leonids,” she said.
The Leonids begin on Nov. 3 and continue through Dec. 2, peaking around Nov. 18. Tilbrook said observers can see up to 13 meteors per hour at the peak. The best viewing comes in the dawn skies, after the Moon has set below the horizon.
The Leonids can also produce bright meteors with a high percentage of persistent trains, known as earth grazers. They streak close to the horizon and often have long, colourful tails. The shower also produces fireballs.
Tips for meteor hunting
Vancouver Is Awesome shared several suggestions for watching the showers:
- If possible, head away from city lights to see fainter meteors. Look for darker skies in the countryside or at high elevations.
- If you need a flashlight, cover the bulb with a red filter. A red balloon will do in a pinch. White light is very blinding and may affect your night vision.
- Dress warmly. Bringing winter clothes is still a good idea.
- Sit on a reclining chair or lie on a blanket. Skywatching is more comfortable lying down, and you will see more that way.
- Pack a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee to help if you get chilly or start to drift off.
- Be patient. It may take a while to see your first shooting star.
Source: Vancouver Is Awesome
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