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Taurid Meteor Shower Happens This Week: When to Watch
Taurid Meteor Shower Happens This Week: When to Watch
Sep 21, 2024 3:51 PM

The meteor shower that sent a fireball flying across the skies of Thailand on Halloween is now reaching its peak.

The Taurid meteor shower is expected to persist through the end of November, but , according to Space.com. If weather conditions cooperate during that span, viewers could see as many as a dozen meteors per hour, if you can find a sky dark enough.

"The annual Taurid meteor shower is going on right now, and ," Bill Cooke, who runs NASA's Meteoroid Environments Office, told Science Alert. "Individuals should not be surprised if they see a bright meteor or fireball over the next few nights."

Possible meteor shower viewing

Several fireball reports have come in from across North America this week, including, acccording to EarthSky.

“The Southwest and the Rockies will offer the best chance to see the meteor shower Friday to Sunday with little cloud cover expected,” according to weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce. “Outside of scattered clouds, parts of the Midwest should also have a good shot at seeing the skies.

Dolce says cloud cover will likely obscure any chance at seeing the meteor shower in parts of the Southeast and Northwest, while in the Northeast, Saturday and Sunday night will be the best chance for viewing.

(MORE: )

Luckily, for skywatchers, the moon is going to cooperate for this big celestial event. According to EarthSky, , meaning its brightness will get less and less intrusive as we approach the Taurids peak.

If you're a novice meteor spotter, this is a great event to get some experience. Space.com reports that Taurid meteors appear to move slower than fireballs from other events, and most are a brilliant shade of yellow-orange.

The Taurids are an annual event, occurring between September and December, as the Earth travels through debris from the comet Encke.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: From August – Perseid Meteor Shower

Stars and meteor streaks are seen behind a destroyed house, near Tuzla, Bosnia, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015. The annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak on Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

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