Science

When and How to Watch the Taurid and Leonid Meteor Showers

Written by Teunis Felter

November not only offers sky gazers a glimpse of the “Beaver” full moon, which will be the largest full moon in almost 70 years, it will bring two incredible meteor showers that you won’t want to miss. On Nov. 12, the annual Taurid meteor shower will light up the night sky with meteors that are remnants left behind by the passage of the Comet known as 2P/Encke. With larger than normal “grains,” the Taurids often offer fireballs, as well as about 10-15 meteors per hour. Another meteor shower is currently adorning the skies with “falling stars” and will continue to do so until Dec. 3. The Leonid meteor shower, which will peak in the pre-dawn hours Nov. 17, comes from material left behind from repeated passages of Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Again, the waxing moon soon after the full moon will prevent the best possible view of the shower.

https://weather.com/news/news/meteor-showers-november-leonid-taurids

About the author

Teunis Felter

Teunis Felter has over 20 years experience as an author, editor, and scientist. When not exploring outside, he enjoys reading history, researching genealogy, and civilly discussing politics.