November’s Night Sky Brings Meteor Showers, Fireballs and a Supermoon

The November astronomical calendar will feature a trio of meteor showers lighting up the night sky. November will also feature the first supermoon of the year when the Beaver Moon rises late in the month. Here is a look at what you should mark on your calendar for the weeks ahead.

Pair of Taurid Meteor Showers - First Half of November

A pair of Taurid meteor showers will streak across the sky during the first part of the month. The overlapping meteor showers will unfold during the first two weeks of November, resulting in a steady parade of shooting stars. Both the Southern Taurids and the Northern Taurids are drawn-out events, in contrast to most meteor showers that have a definitive peak night or two.

While the Taurids will shine for a few weeks, they typically only produce about five meteors per hour. However, the longevity of these two showers means that stargazers can pick a night with clear conditions to maximize their viewing.

The Taurids are also distinguished by their ability to produce a higher volume of fireballs compared to other meteor showers. This means that the meteors that appear may end up appearing brighter than normal.

As with all meteor showers, you will increase your count if you head away from light pollution to view the show. Be sure to give your eyes time to adjust to the dark before training them up toward the sky.