Attention stargazers! The Southern Taurid meteor shower is about to light up the sky on the night of November 4-5. If you’re looking up, you might just catch bright shooting stars from debris shed by the comet 2P/Encke.
Shooting stars occur when tiny pieces of ancient comets enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speeds. They burn up due to friction, creating a stunning display. The Southern Taurids are known for their remarkable fireballs, where larger debris can illuminate the night sky like a flash of daylight.
In 2025, we can expect a “swarm year” for the Southern Taurids. This means you might see up to 10 meteors per hour, especially from midnight onwards. However, the nearly full moon might wash out some of the fainter sights, so keep your eyes peeled for the brightest meteors.
According to the American Meteor Society’s Robert Lunsford, swarm years happen when Earth passes through a dense area of the comet’s debris trail. “We encounter these larger meteors about twice a decade,” he explained in a message. “Normal Taurid particles are the size of pea gravel, but swarm particles can be as large as basketballs.” This size difference often means more spectacular fireballs for observers.
A perfect time to look out for these meteors is in the early hours after midnight. The meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation Taurus, which rises shortly after sunset. For the best viewing experience, give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the dark.
Interestingly, fireball activity in October was higher than usual, suggesting we might have a delightful spectacle in store. However, Lunsford cautioned that the full moon may outshine some of the meteor activity. The next swarm won’t occur until 2032, so this is a great opportunity to enjoy a celestial show.
Planning to catch this display? Consider bringing warm clothing, a comfortable chair, and perhaps a thermos of hot drink for a cozy night under the stars. And remember, the night sky has a lot of surprises; don’t forget to look up! For more information on meteor watching, check out resources from the [American Meteor Society](https://www.amsmeteors.org) and [EarthSky](https://earthsky.org).
