What are Taurid meteors?
The South and North Taurid meteor showers are active every year during the months of October and November. They are billed as a major annual meteor shower, but observers rarely see more than five meteors per hour. Astronomers studying the Taurids have found that Earth encounters a larger-than-normal concentration of debris at intervals of three or seven years. Close conjunctions with the planet Jupiter cause this concentration. Interestingly, only the South Branch has this concentration of debris. balls of fireor meteors that are bigger and brighter than anything in the sky except the sun and moon, likely come from these larger particles.
The Southern Taurids run from around September 10 to November 20, peaking around November 4 and 5. The Northern Taurids overlap them, running from about October 20 to December 10, peaking around November 12/13.
Will we see a Taurid meteor shower in 2022?
Taurid fireballs are often colorful and display fragmentation as they slowly cross the sky. On normal display, only 1% of all Taurid meteors are fireballs. In exceptional years, when the Earth passes through a concentrated field of debris, the percentage can reach 7%. Thus, visual observers and astrophotographers can see multiple fireballs each night instead of the normal rate of one every 20 hours. The last time Earth encountered a concentration or swarm of the Taurid meteors was in 2015. That year, rates for the Southern Taurids reached 10 per hour with numerous fireballs, like the one pictured above.
This year we have another opportunity to witness improved rates during a two-week period centered on the November 5 peak date. Unfortunately, a full moon occurs on November 8, so only a few hours of dark sky are available on the 5th. The moon will clear most meteors on the days following the predicted peak. However, the fireballs are bright enough to shine through the moonlight. The best time to view is before the full moon arrives on November 8. However, if you are outside on the morning of November 8 to observe the total lunar eclipse, you may be lucky and may also spot Taurid meteors.
The radiant of the Taurid meteor shower
The Southern Taurid radiant is located west of Taurus, south of the famous Pleiades star cluster. Due to the movement of the Earth around the sun, the radiant will drift eastward a little less than a degree each night and slightly northward. Therefore, if you are watching the Taurids in October, the radiant will be in the constellation of Aries. After November 5, the radiant slowly approaches the familiar V-shaped asterism of the Hyades in Taurus.
Seen from the northern hemisphere, the tauris radiant sits above the horizon all night. It is highest around 2 a.m. local time. If you observe during the evening hours, look east. Those viewing after 2 a.m. should face west. If the moon is in the sky, keep it out of your sight to avoid spoiling your night vision. Taurid meteors are visible from most of the Southern Hemisphere but in lower numbers, as the radiant appears lower in the sky from locations south of the equator.
Observers can submit the number of meteors sighted
Serious observers are encouraged to count the number of meteors observed and submit them to the International Meteor Organization (IMO). This option is for registered members only, but is free for those who just want to provide data. It creates an observation log that you keep and complete after each meteor shower session. To produce scientifically useful data, please refer to the information on visual observations. Additionally, you will want to determine your viewing conditions.
You should watch for at least an hour to get a true picture of overall activity. Also check here for more tips on viewing meteor showers. Meteors rarely appear at regular intervals but often appear in springs with intervals of five to 10 minutes without activity. We advise spotters to use a comfortable lounge chair with a pillow and blanket. Being cold is no fun under the stars!
When are future swarms expected?
The next predicted Taurid swarm is in 2025 and will most likely be weaker than 2022. Especially because a full moon occurs on the same night as the maximum activity peak. Beyond that, 2032 appears to be an exceptional year, because the Moon will be new and the Earth will pass very close to the center of the swarm. Mark your calendar now!
Southern Taurid meteoroid debris in space
Study the Taurid meteors for large hidden asteroids
2/3 Several large asteroid surveys will conduct campaigns, but asteroids should be accessible by larger amateur telescopes. If they are really there, some should have magnitudes of +19 and brighter. The best period of visibility is between October 25 and November 5. pic.twitter.com/3znhkXumu2
— Denis Vida (@meteordoc) October 19, 2022
Was the Tunguska airburst in 1908 part of the Taurid complex? This campaign could help us find out. More info: https://t.co/K1R0bBOWro
— Denis Vida (@meteordoc) October 19, 2022
Conclusion: take advantage of this opportunity to witness a possible increase in fireball activity from the Taurid meteors by observing the sky from October 29 to November 7, 2022.
Source: An observational synthesis of the Taurid meteor complex
Meteor Showers: Tips for Watching the Show
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