Skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere may be in for an exciting night on Tuesday, Nov. 4, when the Southern Taurid meteor shower reaches its peak overnight — just after the rise of a landmark supermoon.
“Shooting stars” are particles of dust that light up as they strike Earth’s atmosphere, left in the inner solar system by comets — in this case, Comet 2P/Encke, which orbits the sun every 3.3 years.
Although the rise of a particularly bright full moon — November’s beaver moon, the year’s biggest supermoon — so bright are some of the Taurids that astronomers called them “fireballs.” Here’s everything you need to know about the Southern Taurid meteor shower.
When Is The Southern Taurid Meteor Shower?
Active from Sept. 20 to Nov. 20, the South Taurids meteor shower peaks overnight on Tuesday/Wednesday, Nov. 4/5. However, it is a broad peak, with “shooting stars” potentially visible all week. The same applies to the Northern Taurids meteor shower, which is active from Oct. 20 to Dec. 10, but peaks on Tuesday/Wednesday, Nov. 11/12.
Only around five “shooting stars” are expected per hour around midnight during each shower peak, but what the Taurids lack in number they make up for in brightness, with slow-moving “fireballs” expected.
What Is The Southern Taurid Meteor Shower?
It’s one of two so-called Taurid meteor showers, caused by dust and debris left in the inner solar system by comet 2P/Encke. This giant comet takes just 3.3 years to orbit the sun, constantly replenishing the inner solar system with meteor streams.
Its sister meteor shower, the Northern Taurids, peaks a week later on Nov. 11-12, when the moon will have reached its late-rising last quarter moon phase. It will be followed by the Leonid meteor shower, which will peak overnight on Nov. 16-17, producing around 15 fast-moving meteors per hour in the dark skies of an impending new moon on Nov. 20.
Southern Taurid Meteor Shower: Fireballs Vs. Supermoon
The Southern Taurid’s peak in 2025 coincides with a full supermoon — November’s beaver moon — which will be the closest and brightest full moon of the year, and actually since 2019.
A bright moon is always bad news for meteor viewing, as moonlight can drown out fainter streaks. However, Taurid fireballs are so bright they may still be visible even through the moon’s glare.
The best time to watch will be after dark on Nov. 4, when the constellation Taurus — the Taurids’ radiant point — rises in the eastern sky beneath the moon. That said, the fireballs can appear anywhere in the sky.
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.