The second branch of the Taurid meteor showers, the Northern Taurid event, is about to take center stage.
The Northern Taurids have been active since mid-October, but the shower will peak Monday night into Tuesday — with optimal visibility likely occurring after midnight — offering patient sky-gazers the best opportunity to view meteor activity, according to NASA.
However, the moon will be about 79% full when the Northern Taurids peak this week, according to the American Meteor Society, which could make spotting meteors earlier in the evening more challenging.
The Northern Taurids are visible until December 2, according to the American Meteor Society, so there is potential to spot more fireballs over the next few weeks.
Here are peak dates for upcoming meteor showers, according to the American Meteor Society:Leonids: November 16-17Geminids: December 12-13Ursids: December 21-22Two full moons also remain — the beaver moon, which is a supermoon, on November 15 and the cold moon on December 15, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.
Persons:
Dr, Shannon Schmoll, Abrams, ” Schmoll, Encke, Schmoll, “, CNN’s Taylor Nicioli
Organizations:
CNN, NASA, Abrams Planetarium, Michigan State University, American Meteor Society, Farmers
Locations:
Southern, Antarctica, Northern
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