Hanoi, November 4 (VNA) – This November, sky watchers will be treated to an impressive spectacle with two rare fireball meteor showers: the Southern Taurids and the Northern Taurids.
These meteor showers, known for their bright, slow-moving fireballs, will be visible from Earth, with optimal viewing conditions expected.
The Southern Taurids, originating from the constellation Taurus, will reach their peak on November 5. In Vietnam, the best time to witness this cosmic spectacle will be the night of November 4 and until the early hours of November 5.
Space.com reports that the 2024 Southern Taurids will be easier to observe because the Moon will only reach about 15% brightness during the peak, creating ideal conditions for viewing these dazzling meteors.
However, the Northern Taurids, which peak on the night of November 11 through the morning of November 12, could be somewhat obscured by the Moon’s 84% brightness, affecting the visibility of some of the fainter meteors.
Although the two Taurid showers are expected to produce a modest number of meteors per hour, they are notable for their size and brightness, making them some of the most notable of the year.
“The Taurids are rich in fireballs. So if you see a Taurid, it can be very bright and dazzle you, but their frequency is really low,” said NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke.
“It’s just the fact that when a Taurid appears, it’s usually big and shiny.”
Unlike typical meteors, Taurid fireballs are larger and last longer as they pass through Earth’s atmosphere. NASA notes that while most Orionid meteors burn up at around 93 km altitude, the Taurids can reach depths of 66 km, providing a more lasting spectacle.
These meteors travel at around 27 km per second, which is much slower than the Perseid meteors, which travel at around 70 km per second.
Although the Taurids appear to radiate from Taurus, they actually come from the massive comet Encke, whose core is approximately 4.8 m wide. -VNA
