Meteor Shower Peak: The Taurid meteor shower will peak on November 5 for the Southern Taurids and November 12 for the Northern Taurids, according to the American Meteor Society.
Characteristics of Taurids: This meteor shower is known for its slow-moving and long-lasting meteors, providing a unique viewing experience compared to other meteor showers.
Comet Encke's Role: The parent body of the Taurid meteor showers is Comet Encke, which has a nucleus approximately 4.8 kilometers wide. It leaves a trail of debris that Earth passes through, causing the meteor showers.
Two Distinct Streams: The Taurid meteor shower consists of two distinct parts: the Northern Taurids and the Southern Taurids, which occur when Earth travels through different debris trails left by Comet Encke.
Nickname "Halloween Fireballs": This meteor shower is sometimes referred to as "Halloween fireballs" due to its occurrence in late October and early November, aligning with the Halloween season.
Size and Speed of Taurids: Taurid meteors are generally larger and slower than other meteor showers, traveling at approximately 104,000 kilometers per hour and making it deeper into the atmosphere, surviving longer as they fall.
Viewing Locations: The Taurid meteor shower is visible from nearly every part of the Earth, except for the South Pole, making it accessible to a wide audience.
Best Viewing Times: The ideal time to observe the Taurids is around midnight when both the northern and southern meteor streams are most active, particularly when looking toward the constellation Orion.