Look Up Tonight: Taurid Meteor Shower Could Produce Bright Fireballs (Nov. 12–13)

Possible bright fireballs in the sky tonight

If skies are clear, the Taurid meteor shower could light up the night on Wednesday, Nov. 12, into the early morning of Thursday, Nov. 13, with occasional bright fireballs — intense bursts of light and color — visible to stargazers, the American Meteor Society says.

The Taurids have produced an increased number of fireballs in recent years, a trend noted by observers and previously reported by USA TODAY. Space.com adds that, under favorable conditions, meteors from this shower can produce a particularly vivid display, with trails streaking across the sky.

When and where to look

Taurid meteors are visible whenever the constellation Taurus is above the horizon, generally from September through November, according to NASA. The shower actually occurs in two branches:

• Southern Taurids — active roughly Sept. 23–Dec. 8; they peaked last week.
• Northern Taurids — active roughly Oct. 13–Dec. 2; currently still underway.

Observers are most likely to see meteors after midnight and before dawn, when the shower’s radiant in Taurus climbs higher for many locations. At the moment, the moon won’t significantly interfere with viewing the Taurus region, EarthSky notes.

Where they can be seen

The Taurids are visible across much of the globe (everywhere except the South Pole), but light pollution can dramatically reduce what you see. You don't need binoculars or a telescope — meteors are best observed with the naked eye as they can appear anywhere in the sky, though they seem to radiate from Taurus.

Tips for watching

• Find a dark, open spot away from city lights.
• Give your eyes at least 20–30 minutes to adjust to the dark.
• Bring a reclining chair or blanket so you can watch the whole sky comfortably.
• Dress warmly and be patient — showers can be sporadic, but fireballs are memorable.

Sources: American Meteor Society, NASA, Space.com, EarthSky.